The Stroller, Aug. 12, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

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Western Pa. toy run to benefit children’s charities

The 32nd annual Western Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Toy Run to benefit the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department Tree of Hope program and other family charities will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Lower Burrell Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road.

All brands of motorcycles are welcome. Admission is one new toy in original wrapping or $15 and includes refreshments and entertainment. No stuffed animals, please. There will be games, a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and bike show with prizes. Rain or shine.

Those who register by Sept. 10 will receive a chance to win $200. The drawing will be at noon and winner must be present. The largest organized club or group to register will receive a check for $700 to present to the children’s charity of their choice for use at Christmastime and a plaque.

For a registration form and information, visit Western Pa. Toy Run on Facebook. For questions, call John at 412-678-2167.

Burtner House schedules clean-up day

Burtner House Restoration Society will have a clean-up day at 11 a.m. Saturday at the homestead, 2634 Burtner Road, Harrison, in preparation for the 200th birthday celebration in the fall.

Volunteers are needed to help hang curtains and do general cleaning. Everyone welcome.

Calendar

Apollo

Saturday: St. James Church will host a vendor fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parish center, 109 Owens View Ave. Tables: $20; without electricity, $15. Table reservations: Linda, 724-882-8776

Sept. 6: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a Labor Day lottery ticket raffle. The winner will receive one roll of $5, $10 and $20 Pa. Lottery scratch-off tickets. Cost: $10 for two numbers. The winning number will be the first officially drawn Pick 3 number at 7 p.m. on Labor Day. Proceeds benefit the church operating budget. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776, at the parish office or in the vestibule after weekend Masses.

Arnold

Saturday: Sheep Coffeehouse, 1821 Fifth Ave., will have fellowship at 7:30 p.m. Free Lunch with Us is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays. Details: 724-339-8888

Bell

Saturday: A family Back to School celebration will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Family Christian Church, 111 Truxall Road. There will be games, prizes, a clown, food and free back-to-school supplies. Details: 724-727-3660

Brackenridge

Today: Bingo will begin at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave.

Butler

Saturday: Butler Lions Club will sell merchandise to benefit charity at the Butler City Farm Market. Items for sale include brooms, dustpans, garbage bags, fire starters, mints and cleaning cloths.

Cheswick

Today: The Pittsburgh Shrine Center will present a free outdoor concert featuring the Bo’ Hog Brothers Band from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday under cover at the center, 1877 Shriners Way, Cheswick. Gates open at 6 p.m. Seating and tables will be provided, and food and beverages will be sold. No outside food and beverages, please.

East Vandergrift 

Sept. 6: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is selling tickets for a Labor Day weekend cash raffle. Winners will be the first officially drawn Pick 3 number of the 7 p.m. Sept. 4, 5 and 6 drawings. Prizes are $500 Sept. 4 and 5 and $1,500 Sept. 6. Cost: $10 for two numbers. Tickets: Debbie, 724-859-3186, at the parish office or in the vestibule after weekend Masses.

Fox Chapel

Today: Fox Chapel Area High School will sponsor a community blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Vitalant Harmar/Fox Chapel Donor Center, 2585 Freeport Road, suite 207. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Donors must be at least 16 years old. Appointments: 412-209-7000 and specify the donation is for the Fox Chapel Area High School drive, email cfunk@vitalant.org or click on the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code HS010025.

Gilpin

Today: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7:15 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Sunday: Orders are being accepted by Gilpin Fire Department for a drive-thru chicken dinner sale. Cost: $10. Pick-up begins at 4:30 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road. Advance orders required. Orders: 724-845-7200

Harrison

Today through Friday: Harvest Church will host Kidzfest from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Natrona Community Park, 12-20 River Road. Children entering first through sixth grade welcome. Details: 724-548-5643 or harvestpa.org

Friday: Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 6 p.m., and there will be specials, a 50/50 raffle and final game jackpot.

Friday: The free summer children’s playground program sponsored by Natrona Comes Together Association will sponsor a field trip to the library. Reservations and permission slips required. Details: Pat, 724-224-7599

Saturday: The Diaper Pantry at Christ Our Hope Anglican Church, Harrison, will distribute diapers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 926 Painter Ave., and at Sheldon Park, both in Natrona Heights. Recipients must drive up and remain in their vehicles. First-time recipients must provide present their own identification, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card.

Aug. 25: Christ Our Hope Anglican Church will offer a seminar, “Loss of a Spouse,” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the church, 926 Painter Ave., Natrona Heights. Topics will include how to find the strength to go on, how to handle the loneliness and what to do with your spouse’s belongings. Cost: $10. Scholarships are available. Registration and information: 724-895-3105 or email frjohn@cohac.org

Kiski Township

Saturday: A flea market and craft show will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Kiski Township Firehall, 1037 Route 56. Cost: $10 per space. Vendor information: 724-681-2023

Aug. 21: Apollo-Ridge Girls Soccer team will sponsor a back-to-school Barbeque Bash at 4 p.m. at Kiski Township Fire Hall. Menu: pulled pork, brisket, kielbasa, hot dogs, sauerkraut, picnic-style side dishes, dessert and beverage. Cost: $15; high school and middle school students, $10; elementary school students and younger, $5. There will be basket and 50/50 raffles. A corn hole tournament will begin at 4 p.m. Registration will be at 3:30. Tickets: Kelli, kellianthony26@yahoo.com

Leechburg 

Saturday: Leechburg Area Museum, 118 First St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Details: lamahs@windstream.net

Today: A New Path Al-Anon Family Group, a free, confidential program for anyone whose life has been affected by someone else’s drinking, will meet at 7 p.m. in First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St. Face masks and social distancing required.

Aug. 18: Tickets are available for Leechburg Community Day at Kennywood Park in West Mifflin. Cost: $40; 60 and older, $25; and 70 and older, $18, and are available at Leechburg Public Library, 139 Market St., and Nextier Bank, 160 Market St.

Lower Burrell

Saturday: The Lower Burrell Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the municipal building, 2800 Schreiber St. The Lions Club will sell brooms.

Saturday: Burrell High School Swim Team will have a car wash from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Forza Motorcars, 2555 Leechburg Road. Donations will be accepted.

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature the G6 Band from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

Saturday: The ClothesLine ministry at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 3084 Leechburg Road, will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost: clothing, shoes and purses, 10 cents each. Free school supplies will be given to all children accompanied by an adult. Follow us on Facebook.

Aug. 28: The K9 Officer Derek Kotecki Baskets for the Blue basket raffle and vendor show is accepting items and gift certificates for the auction and raffle prizes. Details: visit the Events Calendar at officerderekkotecki.com or ODKBC27@gmail.com

New Kensington

Today: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go dinners from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals are sponsored by Jean Nader. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while waiting in line.

Today: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open with new selections. Social distancing will be observed, and masks are required except when eating. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403

Friday: The River Community Church, New Kensington, will host a farmers market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 200 Freeport Road. Vendor applications are being accepted for future markets. Details: Nicky, 724-337-4837 or admin@goriverchurch.com

Saturday: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will have a yard sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the center, 730 Church St. Items will include pet supplies, household items, kitchenware, books, DVDs and collectibles. Snacks and cold drinks will be sold.

Saturday and Monday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The closet offers clothing for all members of the family, uniforms for students at Mary Queen of Apostles School, shoes, purses, household items, linens and blankets. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Donations accepted during open hours only. Take a free chance on a monthly basket raffle.

Oct. 9: Tables reservations are being accepted for a craft and vendor show at East Ken Community Center, 1785 Seventh St. Cost: $10. Details: Marie, 724-472-5106

Plum

Today: Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at the firehall, 415 Old Abers Creek Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Face masks required. Details: holidayparkvfd.org/ under the weekly bingo tab.

Aug. 21: Free car seat safety checks will be offered by appointment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department, 415 Old Abers Creek Road. Appointments: form.jotform.com/211892443172152

Springdale 

Aug. 18: Springdale Free Public Library will offer a craft workshop at 1 p.m. to make a suncatcher using marbles and glass beads at the library, 331 School St. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729

Aug. 18: Springdale Volunteer Firemen are accepting orders for a take-and-bake carnival pizza sale. Pickup: 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 18 at the firehall, 845 Lincoln Ave. Cost: whole pepperoni pizza, $10; whole plain pizza, $9. Order deadline: Aug. 11. Takeout only. Orders: 724-274-5090

Tarentum

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: 724-224-9220

Saturday: Tarentum Elks will host an open jam session at 1:30 p.m. at the lodge, 219 E. Sixth St. Bring your instrument, kazoo and voice.

Upper Burrell

Aug. 29: Sky View Radio Society is accepting reservations for flea market tailgating spaces for its annual Swap n Shop Hamfest set for 8 a.m. to noon at the society grounds, 2335 Turkey Ridge Road. Cost: $5. Reservations: John, 724-339-3821

Vandergrift

Today: The Farmers Market will be open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Columbia Avenue parking lot. Details: vandergriftfarmersmarket.weebly.com/

Friday: Vandergrift Volunteer Fire Department No. 2 will sponsor a food truck rally from 4 to 8 p.m. at the field at Longfellow Street and Route 56. There will be food trucks, chuck-a-luck, strip tickets and a 50/50 raffle.

Saturday: A rummage sale will be from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and noon to 3 p.m. at Vandergrift Presbyterian Church, 195 Washington Ave. Items will include adult and children’s clothing, housewares, jewelry, decorations, games and toys.

Aug. 18: “Dance the Story,” an active, dance-centered program with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, will be at 11 a.m. at the Casino Theatre. Sponsored by Vandergrift Public Library, the program will explore movement and dance and is suitable for children in prekindergarten through fifth grade. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212 or stop in at the library

Aug. 31: Vandergrift Public Library is raffling a patriotic quilt made and donated by library patron Jane Strohm to benefit the library. Cost: $1 each or $5 for an arm’s length. The drawing will be Aug. 31. Tickets: stop in at the library, 128C Washington Ave. For a photo of the quilt, visit vandergriftpubliclibary.org. Details: 724-568-2212

Washington Township

Friday: Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company will have Friday Night Bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 4078 Route 66. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and sales start at 6 p.m. Free coffee. The kitchen will be open. Players must be at least 18 or accompanied by an adult.

West Deer

Aug. 21: Bull Creek United Presbyterian Church is accepting space reservations for a yard sale set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 224 Bakerstown Road. Cost: $10. Reservations: 724-224-6877