The Stroller, Dec. 6, 2025: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller.

Festival of Trees raffle supports hospital projects

Allegheny Valley Hospital Auxiliary will sponsor its annual Festival of Trees raffle Monday through Dec. 17 to benefit projects supporting the hospital, 1301 Carlisle St., Harrison.

Each hospital department decorates a tree to be raffled off and they are on display in the lobby. Tickets are 10 for $5 or 20 for $10 and can be purchased weekdays in the lobby of the hospital. Cash or checks will be accepted. Winners receive a fully decorated tree. The drawing will be at 3 p.m. Dec. 17.

Vandergrift library closed for repairs

Vandergrift Public Library will be closed through the end of the month so that work can be done on the building’s plaster walls.

Due dates for borrowed items are extended until the reopening date that will be announced in January. E-books and audio books are available through the Libby app. Patrons are welcome to visit Peoples Library in Lower Burrell and New Kensington, and the Murrysville and Delmont libraries.

Food collection to benefit Allegheny Valley Association of Churches

Harrison Commissioner Justin Johnson has organized a food drive for First Ward residents to help neighbors in need.

A collection to benefit the food pantry at Allegheny Valley Association of Churches in Harrison will continue through Jan. 2 to cover Thanksgiving and Christmas and supplement the pantry. Most requested items include canned vegetables, tuna, peanut butter, pasta, bread, cereal, rice, boxed meals, pet food, gloves and socks.

The First Ward is the area near Allegheny Valley Hospital and Silverlake Park. Donations can be dropped off at these locations in the township: Dairy Queen, 1613 Freeport Road; Harvest Church, 1207 Pacific Ave.; Lady Locks by Charlene, 1419 Sixth St.; or Johnson’s home at 1205 Carlisle St.

Calendar

Arnold

Today: Arnold United Methodist Church, 1801 Leishman Ave., will host an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at the church. Menu: choice of plain, blueberry, pecan and chocolate chip pancakes or French toast, sausage and drink. Dine in or takeout. Cost: $9; 12 and younger, $7. Details: 724-339-2377.

Bethel Township

Monday : The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will present “The Clever Corvid,” a program about the family of the American crow, raven and blue jay at 6 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. All ages welcome. Cost: $5. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongodc.org.

Freeport 

Today: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will host karaoke with DJ Timmy V at 8 p.m. at the post, 102 Fifth St. Public welcome.

Today: St. Mary Mother of God Church will sponsor a diaper pantry for those in need from 10 a.m. to noon on the lower level of the church Family Community Center, 407 Freeport Road. Use the back door entrance. First-time recipients must provide their ID, the child’s birth certificate and their current WIC or SNAP card. Registration required. Registration: 724-448-6880.

Harrison   

Today: A Toys for Tots toy drive will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at Czekalski Real Estate, 2725 Freeport Road. There will be free coffee, hot cocoa and doughnuts.

Dec. 11: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer an adult paint class fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Cost: $10, includes all supplies. BYO snacks and beverages. The subject will be a holiday ornament. Reservations: 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.

Kiski Township 

Today: A live Nativity will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at New Beginnings United Methodist Church, 1559 Route 56. Light refreshments will be served and children will receive a gift. Rain date: Dec. 13.

Sunday: An all-you-can-eat breakfast will be served from 8 to 11 a.m. at Kiski Township Volunteer Fire Department, 1037 Route 56. Menu: bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, pancakes, French toast, biscuits & gravy and hash browns. Cost: $12; age 3 to 12, $6; younger than 3, free.

Leechburg   

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.

Dec. 13: 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 or at Monday night bingo.

Lower Burrell

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

Wednesday: Redemption Church will host a GriefShare program about the loss of a spouse from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church, 3400 Garvers Ferry Road. Details: Brenda Heinz, 412-398-1622.

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   

Today: East Kensington Community Circle will host bingo in the Community Circle building, 1785 Seventh St., across from Martin Elementary School. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon and bingo starts at 1 p.m. Menu: pork roast, stuffing, sweet potatoes and dessert. There will be a progressive jackpot bingo, magic number game, a quickie and drawing for $5 off next month’s bingo admission. Cost: $20, includes lunch, eight regular games and eight specials.

Today: Peoples Library will host a free ornament decorating station at 1 p.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.

Sunday: Aluminum City Terrace Bingo Committee will host bingo from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the activity center. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Cost: $5, includes one board, snacks and drinks; extra boards, $1. There will be a 50-50 raffle. Public welcome.

Wednesday: A veterans service officer will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of state Rep. Jill Cooper, 356 Freeport St., suite 100. 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: 724-472-4102.

Dec. 31: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is selling 2026 lottery calendar tickets. Tickets are $25 and include one number for each day of the year. Special number requests will be granted if the number is available. Tickets: jlessig@animalprotectors.net or animalprotectors.net.

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   

Monday: The quilting group at Holiday Park United Methodist Church, 81 Sandune Drive, will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the church chapel. The group sews baby quilts for donation to those in need and the Linus Project. New members welcome. Meetings are the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Sewing and quilting instructions are provided and no equipment is needed. Details: 724-327-6552.

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  

Wednesday : Springdale Free Public Library is accepting orders for a TNT hoagie sale. Varieties: Italian, ham & cheese and turkey. Cost: $10 for a 13-inch sandwich. Order deadline: Dec. 10. Pickup: Dec. 17. Orders: 724-274-9729 or stop in at the library, 331 School St.

Springdale

Dec. 16: 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: 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.

Washington Township 

Today: Poke Run Presbyterian Church, 1091 Poke Run Church Road, will sponsor a breakfast with Santa from 8 to 11 a.m. at the church. Cost: $8; 4 to 10, $4; 3 and younger, free; photos with Santa, $2. There will also be a Santa store with miniature poinsettias, ornaments, decorations and gifts. Proceeds will benefit church education programs and missions. Details: 724-327-5563.

West Deer

Today: A Christmas bazaar will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bull Creek Presbyterian Church, 224 Tarentum Culmerville Road. There will be a bake sale with apple dumplings and hard tack candy and the kitchen will be open.

Today: A pancake breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at East Union Community Center, 292 East Union Road. There will photo ops, a story corner and activities. Cost: $7; 3 to 10, $3, 2 and younger, free.

Dec. 13: A pancake breakfast with Santa will be at 9 a.m. at Pleasant Unity Church, 101 Millerstown-Culmerville Road. There will be a magician and donations will be accepted. Bring a $10 wrapped gift with your child’s name on it.. Reservations required. Reservations: Darlene, 724-352-3615.