Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller.

Free Christmas dinner planned at Oakmont Elks

The Oakmont Elks will host a free community Christmas dinner from 2 to 4 p.m. Christmas Day at the lodge, 106 Washington Ave.

Reservations are encouraged, but not required. For reservations, call 412-828-1668 or email oakmontelks@gmail.com with your arrival time and the number of guests in your party. Don’t be alone on Christmas Day.

Food bank accepting donations for prepared baskets

Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will give out specially prepared food baskets as a Christmas witness. Each basket will contain canned goods, fresh vegetables and a voucher to purchase meat.

Each $20 donation will provide a basket valued over $30 to a family in need. Help make someone else’s Christmas special.

Mail your check payable to AVAC Food Bank with your name and address to: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065. All donations will be acknowledged.

Cookie walk to benefit Knoch music students

The Knoch High School Music Boosters are accepting orders for a cookie walk set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 20 in the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company ballroom, 155 Pittsburgh St.

Cost is $10 per dozen. Children can decorate cookies with Santa and there will be a basket raffle and a 50-50.

To order, visit tinyurl.com/mr27rjf4. Order deadline is Friday. Proceeds will benefit Knoch music students.

Band concerts canceled due to weather

The Kiski Valley Community Band concerts planned tonight at Christ Lutheran Church in Murrysville and Sunday at the Casino Theatre in Vandergrift are canceled due to the expected inclement weather.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: Apollo Hose Company No. 2 will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $25 per packet. The kitchen will be open with a limited menu. Details: 724-478-4831.

Today: St. James Parish will have a flea market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the upper level of the parish activity center, 109 Owens View Ave. Markets are the second Saturday of each month. New vendors welcome. Table cost: $10. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776.

Arnold

Today: Free takeout bag lunches will be distributed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Tomb, 1821 Fifth Ave. A free dinner will be served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Al and Dennis will sing Christmas carols from 7 to 8 p.m. Everyone welcome.

Today: Ar-Ken American Legion will meet at 2 p.m. at the Arnold Public Safety Building, 601 Drey St. The group meets the second Saturday of each month.

Cheswick

Wednesday and Thursday: A veterans service officer will be available by appointment at the office of Rep. Mandy Steele, 1296 Pittsburgh St. Services available include state benefits, burial and survivor benefits, enrollment in the VA health care system and more. Reservations: 724-826-5151.

Chicora

Dec. 22: Beckley Jones, 5 is collecting blankets and gift bags for patients in the oncology department at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital, East Franklin. Donations can be taken to Chicora Alliance Church, 310 E Slippery Rock St. by Dec. 22. Donations will be delivered to the hospital on Dec. 23.

East Vandergrift

Sunday: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish will have bingo at 6:30 p.m. in the church social hall, 411 McKinley Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be a 49-number jackpot game, a 51-number picture frame game and a magic number game. Details: 724-478-4958.

Fawn

Sunday: A Breakfast with Santa will be from 10 a.m. to noon at Fawn Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 Social Hall, 1948 Fire House Lane. Cost: $10, 10 and younger, free. Details: fawnfireevents@gmail.com.

Freeport 

Today: Bar bingo will begin at 6 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 102 Fifth St. Cost for one square: $35 cents; specials, 50 cents; jackpot game, $1. Food and covered dishes welcome. Public welcome.

Hampton

Monday: The Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Roundtable will host a free program, “Music of the Civil War” by Steve and Lisa Ball at 7 p.m. at the Hampton Community Center, 3200 Lochner Way. Public welcome.

Harrison   

Today: The Diaper Pantry at Christ Our Hope Anglican Church 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 their own identification, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card.

Sunday: The Knights of Columbus will host a pancake and sausage breakfast from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the council home, 28 Garfield St., Natrona. Cost: $7; younger than 6, $4.

Tuesday: The Who Knew? program at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will present “Sights and Sounds of the Holidays” at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or visit the calendar tab at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Jan. 17: Tri-County Trout Club is accepting table reservations for its annual sport show and flea market planned at Patterson Hall at Guardian Angels Parish, 800 Montana Ave. Vendors must sell new, used or collectable fishing, hunting, camping or sports items. Cost: $25. Details: 412-298-0964 or tctcnews@gmail.com, leave a message with your name and phone number.

Leechburg   

Today : A Christmas bingo will be at Leechburg Volunteer Firehall, 268 Canal St. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and food will be served at 4 p.m. Early bird bingo will begin at 4:30 p.m. Cost: $35 in advance; at the door, $40; include 20 games that pay $75, four specials that pay $200 and a light meal. There will be a $300 early bird jackpot, a $1,000 regular jackpot game and 50-50. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090. Tickets: lvfc150.square.site.

Monday: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open.

Lower Burrell

Today: The ClothesLine Ministry at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 3084 Leechburg Road, will be open from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost: clothing, shoes and purses, 25 cents each or five for $1; special occasion clothing, leather coats, designer shoes and purses, $5 to $10. Christmas sweaters and pajamas and several bridal gowns will be available and the jewelry room will be open. Please bring your own bags.

Today: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature the band Satin Whip from 7 to 10 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

Through Dec. 31: The works of members of the Allegheny Valley League of Artists will be on display during operating hours at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.

New Kensington   

Monday: Peoples Library will offer “Construction Crew,” an hour of play with building supplies, at 1 p.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.

Parks Township

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will have a country music jam night from 5 to 8 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Public welcome. Details: 724-845-2390.

Plum   

Through Dec. 25: Allegheny County Parks Department is sponsoring a holiday food drive for local food banks. Non-perishables can be taken from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays to the Four Seasons Lodge in Boyce Park.

Springdale   

Today: A holiday craft show will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St. Free admission. Details: 724-274-9729.

Tuesday : The Tuesday Night Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. The selection will be “The Goods Sister” by Sally Hepworth. Copies available at the library. New members welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Today: A Christmas pancake breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Masons, 307 Lock St., second floor. Cost: $10; 6 to 12, $5. Dine in or takeout. Public welcome.

Today: 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.

Upper Burrell

Today: First Baptist Church will sponsor an outdoor live Nativity from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the church, 3740 Seventh St. Road. Cookies, coffee and hot chocolate will be served inside.

Vandergrift

Sunday: The Kiski Valley Community Band will present a concert of holiday music at 3 p.m. at 2 p.m. at the Casino Theatre. Donations will be accepted for the Victorian Vandergrift Museum and Historical Society.

Washington Township

Wednesday: A veterans service officer will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of state Rep. Jill Cooper, 105 Pfeffer Road, suite 5. Services available will include disability and pension claims, benefit questions, assisting spouses with survivor benefits issues and applications for veterans grants. Appointments will be accepted, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments: 724-387-9113.

West Deer 

Today: A craft and vendor show will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Deer Lakes High School, 163 East Union Road. There will be over 150 tables, a concession stand, basket raffle, photo ops with Santa and a bake sale. The high school choir and band and seventh and eighth grade bands will perform. Sponsored by the district band boosters. Details: dlbandshow@hotmail.com.

Sunday: A free pancake breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at West Deer Volunteer Fire Department No. 1, 1520 Saxonburg Blvd. Doors open at 10 a.m. There will be crafts and toy raffles for the children. Sponsored by fire department and the township parks and recreation commission.

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