Is your church or organization going to host a community holiday event? Send information to The Stroller at vndnews@tribweb.com. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Festival of Trees raffle supports projects

Allegheny Valley Hospital Auxiliary is hosting its annual Festival of Trees raffle to benefit patient care projects at the hospital.

Each hospital department decorates a tree to be raffled off. Trees are in the hospital lobby and photos are posted online at AVHAuxFOT.givesmart.com. This year’s themes include An Olde Fashioned Christmas, Christmas Under the Pharma-sea, Grinch, Lucky Lotto, Candy Cane, Over the River and Through the Woods, Star Trek and This is Us.

Tickets are $1 each, 6 for $5 or 25 for $10 and may be purchased at AVHAuxFOT.givesmart.com through Dec. 18 when the drawing will be conducted. Winners receive a fully decorated tree.

Santa to visit Harrison, Brackenridge and Tarentum

A Santa caravan will travel through Harrison, Brackenridge and Tarentum from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Fire departments will carry Santa through their respective municipalities and treats will be tossed from the fire trucks. Rain date is Dec. 12.

Calendar

Arnold

Saturday: Homemade doughnuts will be sold from 6 to 11 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1721 Victoria Ave. Orders: 724-339-4830

Brackenridge 

Today: Brackenridge Council will conduct a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. online at Zoom.us to hear public comments on the Joint Comprehensive Plan with Brackenridge, Harrison and Tarentum. The regular council meeting will be immediately afterward. Access information: Brackenridgeboro.com

East Vandergrift

Saturday and Sunday: A rummage sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and noon to 1 p.m. Sunday in the basement of Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church, 420 McKinley Ave. Face masks and social distancing required.

Harrison

Tuesday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a virtual presentation of, “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” performed by Stage Right online at 6:30 p.m. Registration required. Access information will be emailed. Registration: 724-226-3491 or eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=ALVALLEY&curID=466653

Kiski Township

Dec. 21: Kiski Township Volunteer Fire Department is accepting orders for pies, nut logs and pumpkin rolls from The Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown. Varieties: chocolate meringue, coconut meringue, lemon meringue, apple, dutch apple, blackberry, wild blueberry, razzleberry, cherry, peach, raisin, and pumpkin and pumpkin rolls, all $9.50; nut logs and pecan pies, $12. Paid orders due Wednesday. Pickup: Dec. 21 at the firehall. Details and orders: call or text Morgan, 724-466-2812

Dec. 31: Kiski Township Volunteer Fire Company is selling 2021 lottery calendars to benefit the company building fund. Cost: $30. Details: 724-478-4210

Leechburg  

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.

Lower Burrell

Dec. 13: Lower Burrell Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary will hold its Christmas party at 1 p.m. at the post, Wildlife Lodge Road. All members welcome. Details and reservation information: see the post bulletin board.

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. at the café, 1011 Barnes St. Arnold Furniture is this week’s sponsor. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while they wait in line.

Saturday and Monday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Monday. Face masks required, and a maximum of 25 people can be in the store at one time. Donations welcome only during operating hours.

Oakmont

Friday: Oakmont Civil Service Commission will meet at 3:30 p.m. in the municipal building, 767 Fifth St. Details: 412-828-3232

Wednesday: A Vitalant community blood drive will be from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Oakmont Borough Building, 767 Fifth St. Appointments strongly recommended. Donations are tested for covid-19 antibodies. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and search with group code C5300082

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

Vandergrift 

Dec. 16: A Holly Jolly Holiday basket raffle will take place through Dec. 16 to benefit Vandergrift Public Library. The prize will include a gift certificate for a whole fresh turkey from Pounds Turkey Farm in Allegheny Township, gift cards from Oakmont Bakery and Shop N’ Save, Sweetlane Chocolate, holiday drink ware and wine, holiday décor and more. Cost: $5; or three for $10. Ticket sales close at 10 a.m. Dec. 16 and the drawing will be at 1 p.m. Dec. 16 on Facebook. Tickets: stop in at the library, 128C. Washington Ave., or visit Venmo online.

West Deer

Saturday: A drive-thru Santa and Mrs. Claus pancake breakfast will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at East Union Presbyterian Church, 292 East Union Road. Children will receive a craft and treat bag and can place their list for Santa in his mailbox. Donations will be accepted. Proceeds will benefit maintenance costs of the church community center and church ministries.

West Leechburg

Today, Friday and Saturday: Fly Science Guy Star Shows will present a free live stream, “How to Shop for Telescopes,” at 7 p.m. online. Details: visit Fly Science Guy on Facebook.

 

Cancellations

Apollo

Today: The Apollo Area Historical Society meeting is canceled and the museum closed for the winter.

Brackenridge

Thursdays: American Legion bingo is canceled until further notice.

Gilpin

Thursdays: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department bingo is canceled until further notice. Takeout food will be sold from 5 to 7 p.m. Menu: visit the department Facebook page.

Kiski Township

Thursday: Kiski Township Planning Commission meeting is canceled.

East Deer

Today: East Deer Commissioners agenda meeting is canceled. The regular meeting will be Dec. 10.

Leechburg

Dec. 13: The vendor bingo scheduled at the Elks is canceled.

New Kensington

Saturday: The Ladies Day planned at Knead Community Café is canceled.

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