The Stroller, Dec. 8, 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.

Concordia plans annual live Nativity event

Concordia Lutheran Ministries will host its annual live Nativity Sunday in front of the Haven II building, 148 Marwood Road, Jefferson Township.

Performances last 15 minutes and begin at 4:30, 5:15 and 6 p.m. Hot beverages and refreshments will be served and gifts will be presented to guests 12 and younger. Bring a camera for photos with Santa. Dress for the weather. For details, call 724-352-8268.

Volunteers needed at Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley

Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is looking for volunteers to help out at the shelter in New Kensington.

There are opportunities available every day to suit every person including dog and cat care, event and fundraising work, cleaning, maintenance, doggy day outs, fostering, office work and administration.

To offer your time, email volunteer@animalprotectors.net or visit animalprotectors.net.

Free advice available for those with financial troubles

Allegheny Valley Association of Churches has free support services available for anyone who is having trouble making ends meet, is unemployed or needs help with budgeting and talking to bill collectors.

For information, call Michelle at 724-226-0606, ext. 16.

Santa to visit Thursday in Arnold

Santa Claus will arrive at 6 p.m. Thursday via fire truck to Dairy Queen, 2100 Freeport Road, Arnold.

From 6 to 8 p.m., there will be opportunities to take photos with Santa and donations will be accepted to benefit the New Kensington Volunteer Fire Department.

Calendar

Allegheny Township

Today: Alle-Kiski Day Quilters and Sewers will meet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Allegheny Township municipal building, 136 Community Building Road. Bring your project. No dues or fees. Free parking, lighting, tables and electrical outlets available. Bring a lunch and drinks. The group meets the first and third Friday of each month. Details: Pat, 724-601-3089.

Apollo

Saturday: The Kiski Valley Community Band will perform a concert of holiday music at 3 p.m. Saturday at Apollo First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 214 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Donations will be accepted to benefit the Apollo Food Bank. Public welcome.

Saturday : Apollo Memorial Library will host a free visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus event at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Sessions will be at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. There will be a story time, pictures, a craft and refreshments. Reservations required and space is limited. Reservations: 724-478-4214.

Arnold

Saturday: The Tomb will host Joey Morris in concert at 7 p.m. at the coffeehouse, 1821 Fifth Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Details: 878-847-5646.

Saturday: Bethlehem Temple Faith Church, 1374 Fourth Ave, will sell chicken wings from 1 to 5 p.m. at the church. Cost: $24 per dozen. Varieties: regular seasoned, honey barbecue, buffalo and garlic Parmesan butter. Potato salad, $3. Orders: 724-994-8436.

Fawn  

Saturday : A Breakfast with Santa will be from 10 a.m. to noon at Fawn No. 1 Social Hall, 1948 Firehouse Lane. Cost: $10, 2 and younger, free. There will be a Christmas basket raffle. Tickets: fawnfireevents@gmail.com or Venmo @fawnfire-department with the name and number of tickets requested.

Harrison  

Today: Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 6 p.m., and there will be specials, a 50-50 raffle and final game jackpot.

Saturday: The Diaper Pantry at Christ Our Hope Anglican Church will distribute diapers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 926 Painter Ave., and at Sheldon Park, both in Natrona Heights. Recipients must drive up and remain in their vehicles. First-time recipients must provide their own identification, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card.

Sunday: The Knights of Columbus will host a pancake and sausage breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the council home, 28 Garfield St., Natrona. Cost: $7; younger than 6, $4.

Leechburg 

Saturday: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company will host a craft and vendor show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090 or allermelissa@comcast.net.

Saturday: The Sokol Club will sponsor its third annual Ugly Sweater Bash at 7 p.m. at the club, 55 Siberian Ave. There will be music by the band Standard Heist, food, a cash bar and prizes. All ages welcome. Free admission.

Dec. 19: The Outreach Committee of Leechburg First United Methodist Church will distribute free hams at 10 a.m. at Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market, Third Street. Anyone in need is welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: Pam, 724-845-8761 or Lori, 724-845-8109.

Lower Burrell

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature Julie and the Voo Doo Band from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

Saturday: The ClothesLine Ministry at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 3084 Leechburg Road, will be open from 9 a.m. to noon. Clothing, shoes and purses will be sold for 25 cents each or five for $1. The jewelry room will be open.

New Kensington 

Saturday: A cash bingo will be at 1 p.m. at East Ken Community Circle, 1785 Seventh St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and lunch will be at noon. Admission: $20, includes lunch. Menu: stuffed shells, salad, Italian bread and pumpkin dessert. An alternative entree is available by request. There will be a progressive jackpot of $89.50 plus half of the intake at 61 numbers, a magic number game and everyone will receive a small gift. Bring a wrapped $10 gift to participate in an optional mystery gift exchange.

Oakmont

Saturday: Riverside Women’s Association will sponsor a Breakfast With Santa from 10 a.m. to noon at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 378 Delaware Ave. Cost: $10; children, $7.50; younger than 2, free. There will be crafts, a story time, bake sale, raffles and ugly sweater contest.

Saturday: Oakmont Carnegie Library will host a free children’s holiday party for all ages at 1 p.m. at the library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd. There will be a holiday craft and free book. No reservations required. Details: 412-828-9532.

Parks Township

Today: Parks Township Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. in the firehall, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m.

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

Dec. 15: Pa. Rep. Mandy Steele will host a free veterans holiday luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. at the Springdale Veterans Association, 1151 Pittsburgh St. Veterans will be recognized and state services available to veterans will be discussed. Reservations required. Reservations: 412-826-5151 or bitly.ws/ZB8a.

Tarentum 

Saturday: Central Presbyterian Church will hold its annual Christmas cookie sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 305 Allegheny St. There will be at least 20 varieties available. Cookies may be purchased a la carte or on pre-made trays that contain five dozen cookies each. No orders will be accepted. Details: 724-224-9220.

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.

Sunday: A concert featuring the Academy String Quartet will be at 4 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St. 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

Dec. 16: Upper Burrell Senior Citizens holiday celebration will be from noon to 2 p.m. in the banquet hall of First Baptist Church, 3740 Seventh St. Road, across from the township building. Lunch will be served. Free for township residents who are at least 62 years old. Reservations required today. Reservations: 724-335-3517.

Vandergrift  

Dec. 16: A microchip and nail clinic for pets will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at TinyCause, 131 Columbia Ave. Cost: microchips, $25, includes lifetime registration; nail trims, $10; ear cleanings, $5. Appointments required for microchipping only. Appointments: send a Facebook message to OurTinyCause.

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 Crusaders Rescue. Funds raised will be split between the three organizations.

Washington Township

Today: Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 4078 Route 66. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and sales start at 6 p.m. Free coffee. The kitchen will be open. Players must be at least 18 or accompanied by an adult.

West Deer

Today and Saturday: Bull Creek Presbyterian Church, 224 Tarentum Culmerville Road, will have its annual Christmas bazaar from 4 to 7 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the church. There will be handmade gifts, hot soups, sandwiches and drinks, and a bake sale.

Saturday: Reservations are being accepted for a Breakfast with Santa planned at 9 a.m. at Pleasant Unity Church, 101 Millerstown-Culmerville Road. There will be a magician and an opportunity to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Bring a $10 wrapped gift for your child with their name on it. Donations will be accepted. Reservations: Darlene, 724-352-3615.

Saturday: A craft and vendor show to benefit Deer Lakes Band Boosters will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the high school, 163 East Union Road. Admission: $1, includes a ticket for the basket raffle. There will be opportunities for photos with Santa, a bake sale, concession stand and performances by the high school choir, and the seventh- and eighth-grade and high school bands.

Sunday: West Deer Parks and Recreation Board and West Deer Firehall No. 1 will host a free Breakfast with Santa from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the firehall, 1520 Saxonburg Blvd. Doors open at 10 a.m. There will be craft activities and a toy raffle.

Dec. 16: Deer Lakes Cheer Boosters will host Donuts with Santa for children who are at least 4 years old from 10 a.m. to noon at Deer Lakes High School cafeteria. Cost: $30 per child. Children will be signed in and out. Do not arrive before 9:45 a.m. There will be doughnuts, juice, a craft and photos with Santa. Checks made payable to Deer Lakes Cheer Boosters can be sent to Sharon Fukas, 166 Partridge Run Road, Gibsonia PA 15044; or Venmo @DeerLakesCheerBoosters. Reservations required today. No walk-ins can be accepted. Details: deerlakescheerboosters@gmail.com.