The Stroller, Dec. 16, 2023: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

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.

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 $15 donation will provide a basket valued over $25 to a family in need. Help make someone else’s Christmas special. Mail your check made payable to AVAC Food Band with your name and address to: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065. All donations will be acknowledged.

Free lunch offered Wednesday at Allegheny Valley Church of God

Allegheny Valley Church of God, 216 Catalpa St., New Kensington, will serve free lunches at noon Wednesday, dine in or takeout.

Stuffed pepper soup and cookies will be served for as long as the food lasts. For details, call 724-335-0994.

American Cancer Society seeks volunteer drivers

The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers to drive cancer patients to treatment appointments.

Access to timely, high-quality treatment can often be a cancer patient’s largest roadblock to survival. The society’s Road to Recovery program fills the gap when friends and family are unable to help out.

For information and to offer your time, visit cancer.org/drive.

Calendar

Apollo

Dec. 26 to Jan. 6: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a 12-day lottery giveaway. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. The winning numbers will be the first officially drawn 7 p.m. Pa. Lottery Pick-3 number from Dec. 26 to Jan. 6. Prizes will include cash and a variety of gift cards to local restaurants and businesses. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776, in the parish office or after weekend Masses in the church vestibule.

Dec. 31: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will host a New Year’s Eve bingo at 8 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Cost: $25. A full kitchen menu will be available. Ticket deadline: Dec. 23. Tickets: Shelby, 724-549-1601.

Arnold

Today: St. Vladimir Church will host a pop-up pierogi sale from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the church social hall, 1610 Kenneth Ave. Varieties: sauerkraut and potato & cheese; fresh and frozen. No advance orders will be accepted; sales are first come, first served. Weekly sales will resume in January. Cost: $12 per dozen.

Today: The Tomb, 1821 Fifth Ave., will have snacks and fellowship at 7 p.m. Details: 878-847-5646.

Wednesday: The Tomb, 1821 Fifth Ave., will host Christmas at the Tomb with dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Details: 878-847-5646.

Bethel

Thursday : The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will present a winter solstice program for children at 6 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. Children will make a simple lantern that will be taken on a short winter hike and hot cocoa will be served. Cost: $7. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongodc.org.

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 56-number jackpot game, a 42-number picture frame game and a magic number game for over $331. Details: 724-478-4958.

Hampton

Monday: The Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Roundtable will host a free program “Butler, Western Pennsylvania and the Underground Railroad” with Bill May at 7 p.m. at the Hampton Community Center, 1301 McCully Road. Public welcome.

Harrison 

Today: Building Block of Natrona will host its free Veggies for All and Cosmetics Closet outreach for residents in need at 1 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 28 Garfield St., Natrona. Free produce and personal care and hygiene products will be distributed, first come, first served, while supplies last. Arrive by 12:30 p.m. to line up; supplies go quickly. No income verification required. Everyone is welcome.

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

Thursday: Allegheny Valley Hospital Auxiliary will sell White Green Cloths from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday in the Carlisle Corner of the hospital cafeteria, 1301 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights. The cloths are streak-free and spot-free. Cost: $5, cash only. Proceeds will benefit auxiliary projects for the hospital.

Kittanning

Monday: PennDOT District 10 will host a job fair for permanent full-time and seasonal full-time equipment operators from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Armstrong County maintenance office, 504 S. Water St. District employees will be available to answer questions and assist with applications. Attendees will be able to apply, interview and road test, if eligible. Details: 724-284-8800 or employment.pa.gov.

Leechburg 

Today: The Clothing Closet at First Lutheran Church, 358 Main St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All items are 20 cents each. Please bring a bag. Donations welcome.

Today: A Christmas bake sale will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Holy Innocents Church, 366 Third St. Pre-ordered trays can be picked up and soup, hot dogs, haluski and baked goods will be sold. Dine in or takeout.

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.

Jan. 13: The Leechburg 175^th Anniversary Committee will host a night at the races at the Marconi Club, 135 River Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. and races will start at 7. Cost: $20, includes a horse, food and soft drinks; food and soft drinks only, $10. Donations for a basket raffle, desserts and cases of pop are welcome. Drop off donations at Leechburg Public Library. Deadline to purchase a ticket with a horse is Jan. 4. Must be 21 to attend. Proceeds will be used to fund the 2025 celebration Details: 724-236-0080.

Lower Burrell 

Today: Grace Community Presbyterian Church, 2751 Grant St., will host a free community party for children from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. There will be cookie decorating, a visit with Santa, a story time, arts and crafts. Cookies and a beverage will be served. Details: 724-339-9661.

Today: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature the Memory Lane band from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

Today: A luncheon bingo will be at 1 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. Doors open at 11 a.m. Admission includes lunch at 12:30 p.m., 15 games that win $20 each; four specials that win $30 each; and a $100 must-go jackpot. Details: 724-335-4131.

Today: Peoples Library will have a holiday party for all ages at 12:30 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. There will be stories and activities. Details: 724-339-1021.

Wednesday: Peoples Library will have a family story time at 1 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.

New Kensington

Today: Peoples Library will have a holiday party for all ages at 11 a.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. There will be stories and activities. Details: 724-339-1021.

Today: March for Jesus will honor teachers, police officers, district heads and city council members from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Valley High School, 703 Stevenson Blvd. There will be activities and giveaways. Details: Hank Commodore, 724-217-3866.

Sunday: The American Legion, 1100 Wildlife Lodge Road, will be open for breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon. Menu: pancakes, creamed ground beef on toast, eggs made to order with toast, home fries, and sausage or bacon.

New Kensington

Sunday: New Kensington Arts Center will host an evening of jazz and poetry at 4:30 p.m. at the center, 950 Fifth Ave. Bring your camera, your appetite and your friends.

Tuesday: A workshop to make a STEM-based craft for all ages will be at 11 a.m. at Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.

Wednesday: Peoples Library will have a family story time at 11 a.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.

Oakmont

Thursday: St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 378 Delaware Ave., will have a Longest Night service at 7 p.m. at the church. All are welcome to this peaceful respite during the holiday season.

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.

Springdale  

Today: The Knotty Knitters group at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at noon at the library, 331 School St. The group will now meet the first and third Saturdays of the month. Bring your unfinished knitting or crocheting project. All skill levels welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Today: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The monthly dollar breakfast will be from 8 a.m. to noon. Details: 724-224-9220.

Sunday and Tuesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St. An opportunity for silent prayer will be at 6:30 p.m.

Upper Burrell

Today: A free drive-thru live Nativity will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Upper Burrell, 3740 Seventh St. Road. There will be live performances and animals. After driving through, come inside to enjoy cookies, coffee, hot chocolate and crafts.

Vandergrift

Dec. 31: Vandergrift Public Library is conducting a 100,000 penny collection challenge through the end of the year. Bring your pennies to the library, 128C Washington Ave., or TinyCause or Champion’s Crusaiders Rescue. Funds raised will be split between the three organizations.