The Stroller, Dec. 4, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

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.

Santa needs help: You can ‘adopt’ senior for Christmas

Concordia Lutheran Ministries has again opened its Adopt-A-Resident Program to the community.

Individuals, businesses and congregations may call the facility of their choice to “adopt” a resident and give him or her Christmas gifts. General gifts will also be accepted. The activities staff can suggest items that residents typically use.

Participating Valley locations and contacts are:

• Concordia at Cabot, Brandy Muth, 724-352-1571 ext. 8241 (skilled nursing residents), deadline is Dec. 15; or Jaime White, ext. 8302 (personal care residents), deadline is Dec. 14.

• Concordia of Fox Chapel, Kelly Ellena, 412-767-5808, deadline is Dec. 14.

Takeout spaghetti dinner to benefit baby’s medical expenses

A takeout spaghetti dinner fundraiser to benefit the infant son of A.J. and Amanda McNeal will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Creekside Diner, 4707 Route 66, Washington Township.

The menu will include spaghetti with two homemade meatballs, tossed salad with Italian dressing, homemade Italian bread and a piece of cake. Cost is $10. There will be a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Tickets for the silent auction are on sale now.

The fundraiser will help with the baby’s medical expenses. For tickets, stop in at the diner.

Health Foundation to give away hams, potatoes

Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation will distribute free ham and potatoes next week.

The giveaway is limited to the first 100 individuals in need who phone the foundation to register at 724-294-3157 and provide their name, phone number and email address. Registration is limited to one ham and five-pound bag of potatoes per phone call and family. Registrants will be given instructions as to when, where and how the food will be distributed and must arrange for transportation to the distribution site.

The project is provided through the foundation’s Hunger-in-the-Valley program.

Knead Community Café collecting winter clothing items

Knead Community Café, New Kensington, is collecting new hats, gloves, scarves, socks and small toiletries during business hours for distribution during its weekly grab and go meal distributions.

Items can be dropped off from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the café, 1011 Barnes St.

Help available locally to sign up for health care coverage

Open enrollment for health care coverage on the Pennsylvania Insurance Exchange will be Nov. 1 to Jan. 15, 2021. The Community Health Clinic in New Kensington is offering free assistance for those need help navigating the signup process for the exchange, medical assistance, CHIP, VA and non-coverage options.

Trained personnel are available locally in-person, virtually and over the telephone. To schedule an appointment, call 724-889-2783 or email smcmannis@communityhealthclinic.org.

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

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

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

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

Today: 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 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

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.

Saxonburg

Monday: Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company bingo planned the first Monday of each month is canceled until further notice.