The Stroller, Jan. 15, 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.

Sponsorships available at Champion’s Crusaiders Rescue

Champion’s Crusaiders Rescue in Parks Township offers a sponsorship program for people who can’t adopt or foster an animal at the shelter but would still like to help until a forever home is found.

For $25, $30 or $40 per month – or whatever you are able to give – animals can be sponsored until they are adopted. Sponsors receive a monthly update on their furry friend and a special letter when they are adopted.

For details and more information, email championscrusaiderssponsor@gmail.com.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: Apollo Hose Company No. 2 will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be specials and wish jars. Details: 724-478-4831.

Thursday: Apollo Memorial Library will offer an hour of non-structured playtime for preschoolers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. No reservations required. Details: 724-478-4831.

Thursday: The new Embroidery Club at Apollo Memorial Library will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Bring a project and a friend. Details: 724-478-4214.

Brackenridge

Today: 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.

Thursday: Bingo will be at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Details: 724-994-6030.

Freeport

Today: The Blessing Closet at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All items are free, but donations will be accepted. Items available include clothing of all sizes, bedding and window items. Donations of clothing, shoes and boots welcome; must be laundered and free from smoke and pet hair. Wheelchair accessible. Details: 724-295-3095.

Gilpin

Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Harrison

Today: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean clothing in all sizes is needed. No housewares or bedding please. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

Today: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Food bank participants can receive food allotments twice per month. Those who are not yet registered should come from 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The Sparrow’s Nest clothing and home goods ministry will be open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Details and alternate times: 724-226-0606, ext. 10.

Today: The Becky’s Closet community clothing store at Faith Lutheran Church, 1500 Broadview Blvd., will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Cost: adult tops and bottoms, 50 cents; children’s clothing, 25 cents. Please bring small bills and your own bags. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.

Friday: 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.

Jefferson Township

Thursday: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit post and auxiliary projects.

Leechburg

Thursday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 10 a.m. to noon at the museum, 118 First St. The group will now meet on the second and third Thursdays of each month. Basic computer skills required. Details: Judy, wrighton154@yahoo.com.

Saturday: The Leechburg Museum is closed for the season. Visits are available by appointment. Details: 724-845-8914 and leave a message or email lamahs@windstream.net.

Lower Burrell 

Today: Peoples Library will offer a free online talk at 7 p.m. with author T.J. Klune who will discuss his Cerulean Chronicles series at the library, 3052 Wachter St. Recordings will be available to watch on demand. Registration required. Registration: libraryc.org/peopleslibrary.

Thursday: The Chess Club at Peoples Library will meet at 4 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter St. Players age 8 to 18 of all skill levels welcome. Details: 724-339-1021.

Friday: Peoples Library will host “Construction Crew,” an hour of play with building supplies, at 1 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter St. Details: 724-339-1021.

New Kensington

Today: Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St., will offer Puzzles for Grownups at 1 p.m. Details: 724-339-1021. 

Thursday: Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St., will offer a knitting for beginners class at noon. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday and Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes, linens, purses and handbags. Household items, dishes, appliances and books will no longer be accepted. Donations welcome during business hours only. Do not leave donations at the door.

North Apollo

Jan. 23: A Red Cross community blood drive will be from noon to 5 p.m. at First Church of God, 507 20^th St. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and search with ZIP code 15673.

Parks Township

Thursday: Parks Township Sportsman Club Association will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. New members welcome.

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

Springdale

Thursday: The diaper pantry at St. Mark Lutheran Church will distribute free diapers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church, 600 Pittsburgh St. Advance registration required. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Distributions are the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Registration: 724-274-5313.

Tarentum

Today: The Elks will host bingo at 6:30 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.

Washington Township

Today: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.

Today: A veterans service officer will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of state Rep. Jill Cooper, 105 Pfeffer Road, suite 5. 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: 724-387-9113.

Friday: 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.

Winfield

Thursday: The Matrona Family Resource Center at Cabot Church, 707 Winfield Road, will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. New and gently used clothing in sizes preemie through 10/12 will be available, as well as strollers, car seats, toys and more. No reservations required. Details: 724-524-1809 or tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.