The Stroller, Dec. 20, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your holiday events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Free Christmas Eve dinner offered in Lower Burrell

Compassion Network will host a free dine-in Christmas Eve dinner at 1 p.m. at Bethel United Methodist Church, 150 Alder St., Lower Burrell.

Dinner will be served family style and only 100 reservations will be accepted. Reservations are required by Wednesday.

For reservations, email Invr4get911@aol.com or text 724-448-8173. Send your name, telephone number and number of people who will attend.

Therapy dogs welcome to join program at Allegheny Valley Hospital

Allegheny Valley Hospital, Harrison, is expanding its pet therapy program and invites all qualified therapy dog and handler teams to join the program.

Therapy dogs visit patients in their rooms, in common areas on the mental health units and in rehabilitation facilities and interact with staff in various departments.

Therapy dogs can be any breed and must be certified by a recognized organization, such as Therapets or Therapy Dogs International. To apply, therapy dog owners and handlers who are at least 18 years old can visit ahn.org/volunteer-application. For details, call Kimberly Giovanelli at 724-226-7370 or avhvol@ahn.org.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesday: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be a $1,000 must-go jackpot. Details: 724-478-4831.

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. The kitchen will be open with a full menu. There will be four Early Bird games, 17 regular games, four specials and a must-go jackpot that will pay $500. Cost: $25, includes a hot dog with kraut, if purchased by Dec. 22, after Dec. 22, $30. Tickets: Shelby, 724-549-1601 or Gina, 724-594-6187.

Brackenridge

Thursday: A replenishment blood drive for Terry Spale will be from 1 to 6 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10^th Ave. Appointments recommended. Bring ID. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or Dawn Spale at 724-224-2224 or dspale@alleghenyhealth.com or visit vitalant.org and click on the Schedule Now or New Donor buttons. Search for group code Z0021156.

Wednesday: Al-Anon will meet at 8 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10th Ave. The group offers help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics.

Freeport

Wednesdays: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Cash only. No donations are being accepted at this time. Details: 724-295-3095.

Harrison

Tuesday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will present a free Who Knew? program, “Unforgettable Local Winter Weather,” at 6 p.m. online only at Zoom.us. Registration required. Registration: visit the calendar section at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Wednesday: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Masks required. Clean fall and winter clothing in all sizes is needed. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

Wednesday: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open to anyone in need from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Pull into the center parking lot and food will be placed into your vehicle. Those who are not yet registered should come from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Leechburg  

Today: The Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society, 118 First St., is closed for winter. To arrange a private tour, email lamahs@windstream.net or call 724-845-8914 and leave a message.

Today: 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.

Wednesdays: Leechburg Public Library, 139 Market St., offers a free Senior Stretch chair class at 10:30 a.m. There will be no session Dec. 29. Details: 724-236-0080.

Manor  

Tuesday: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will sponsor a free Winter Solstice hike and craft at 6 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. The group will make lanterns and there will be children’s activities. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

New Kensington

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

Jan. 8: A spaghetti dinner to benefit lung cancer patient Chris Ploski and his wife Emily will be at the Eagles, 2134 Freeport Road. Gift basket donations are being accepted for a silent auction. Details: Davis, 412-378-6296 or the Eagles, 724-335-7811.

Parks

Today: An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from noon to 5:30 p.m. at St. Paul Highfield Lutheran Church, 1595 Dime Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org.

Pittsburgh

Tuesday: The Allegheny Valley chapter of the Women’s Business Network will meet at 8 a.m. at Panera Bread, Waterworks Mall, 942 Freeport Road. Those attending can learn how the group supports the success and growth of women in business. Reservations required. Reservations: Susan Kinger, 412-782-4848.

Springdale

Dec. 28: 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, “Meet You In Hell,” by Les Standiford. Copies are available at the library. New members welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

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.

Wednesday: The Elks will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the lodge, 219 E. Sixth Ave. The kitchen is open to the public from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Menu: elks644.org/elks-kitchen-1. Orders: 724-226-1644 by 8:15 p.m.

Upper Burrell  

Friday: Upper Burrell Volunteer Fire Company and Vigilant Hose Company of Port Vue are sponsoring a $15,000 cash raffle. Winning number will be the Dec. 24 Pa. Lottery Pick 4 number. Cost: $20 for eight numbers. Tickets: send a private message on the company Facebook page.

Vandergrift

Tuesday: The YoYos Needles Art group at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the library reading room, 128C. Washington Ave. Please note the new date and time. All skill levels welcome. No reservations required. Details: 724-568-2212.

Dec. 28: Vandergrift Public Library will host a free family paint night, “Canvas & Cocoa” at 6 p.m. at the library. Youth and their adults can choose one of four design options to paint. Toddler freestyle will be available. Hot cocoa and light snacks will be available. Space is limited and reservations are required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.