The Stroller, July 17, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your club meetings, community events and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Operation Gratitude to benefit troops, first responders

The fourth annual Operation Gratitude Collection drive will take place through July 31.

The public is welcome to write a letter, make a thank you card or color a picture that will be sent in a care package. Creations will be sent to be distributed by Operation Gratitude in California to new recruits, first responders, troops, and veterans and their caregivers.

Collection bins are located at Citizens Bank in Giant Eagle, Amsler Automotive and King’s Family Restaurant, all in Allegheny Township.

To make a monetary donation to cover the cost of 30 care packages, visit Giving.OperationGratitude.com/2021SummerCollectionDrive.

For more information, email BrittanyMarie147@gmail.com.

Free children’s meal distribution continues in Tarentum

Central Presbyterian Church, Tarentum, is distributing free grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches to children 18 and younger from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays at the church, 305 Allegheny St.

The program will continue through Aug 6 and is sponsored by the United Methodist Church Union and the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. There are no eligibility requirements.

For details, call Central Church at 724-224-9220.

Calendar

Apollo

Aug. 2 to 6: Bible Presbyterian Church, 214 Railroad Ave., will host vacation Bible school from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the church for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-478-3556 or 724-697-4148

Aug. 14: St. James Church will host a vendor fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parish center, 109 Owens View Ave. Tables: $20; without electricity, $15. Table reservations: Linda, 724-882-8776

Arnold

Saturday: A Christmas In July turkey dinner will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1721 Victoria Ave. Dine in or takeout. Cost: $10. Questions: 724-335-0101

Butler

Monday: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will host a family support group from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the center, 212-214 S. Main St. Details: 724-431-0069 or info@namibutler.org

Fawn 

Sunday: The Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society’s Flea-Tique antique and collectible show will be from daybreak to 1 p.m. at the Bull Creek Tour-Ed Mine site, off Bull Creek Road. Rain or shine. No pets permitted. Spaces: $30 per month; $150 for the season. Customer parking: $3. Details: fleatique82@gmail.com or 724-224-0178

July 26 to 30: Center United Methodist Church, 1575 Donnellville Road, will have vacation Bible school from 6 to 8:15 p.m. for children age 4 through those who have completed fifth grade. Theme: Knights of North Castle. Registration required. Parents must accompany their child to and from the sign-in/sign-out table each day. Registration: 724-226-2300 or email autumnturk@me.com

Frazer

Today: A touch-a-truck event and food truck rally will be from 1 to 6 p.m. in the parking lot of Pittsburgh Mills Mall between Dick’s Sporting Goods and the GQT Movie Theater. Sponsored by Frazer Police department and Frazer Volunteer Fire Department No. 2. Free children’s fingerprinting will be offered.

Freeport

Today: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday. Cash only. Donations must be laundered and free from pet hair. Details: 724-295-3095

Harrison 

Today: Fun and Freedom will host a free Picnic in the Park from 5 to 7 p.m. in Natrona Park, River Avenue. Weather permitting. There will be food, games, face painting and children’s crafts. Details: 724-274-7773

Today: A free clothing and toy distribution will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Word of Faith Christian Fellowship, 42 Chestnut St., Natrona. Incontinence diapers in all sizes will be available. Masks and social distancing required.

Tuesday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will present a virtual presentation of the Who Knew? program, “Local Movie Theaters,” at 6 p.m. online at Zoom.us. Registration required. Registration: 724-226-3491 or visit the EventKeeper section of alleghenyvalleylibrary.org

Kiski Township

Today: The third annual Kiski Township Fireman’s Cruise will be from noon to 5 p.m. at the firehall, 1037 Route 56. Dash plaques for the first 100 cars. Vehicle entry fee: $10. There will be a silent auction and door prizes.

Kittanning

Sunday: Armstrong County Historical Museum, 300 N. McKean St., will be open for tours from 1 to 3 p.m. through Oct. 31. Free admission. Alternate hours available by appointment. Free parking is available behind the building via the North Grant Avenue entrance. Details: 724-548-5707 or achgs300@gmail.com

Leechburg 

Today: Leechburg Area Museum, 118 First St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Details: lamahs@windstream.net

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.

Monday: First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Leechburg, will host a 13-week GriefShare support group from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Sept. 6 in the church sanctuary, 358 Main St. The group is for anyone who has lost an important person in their life and needs help dealing with the grief. Masks required to enter the building and social distancing will be observed. Participants can join the group at any session of the class. Details and registration: 724-845-7518 or felc@windstream.net

Aug. 7: Vendor applications are being accepted by Leechburg Area Community Association for a vendor sale set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the gazebo at Leechburg Riverfront Park. Cost: $30 per 10 x 10-foot space. Bring your own table, chairs and/or tent. Reservations: doreen.smeal@gmail.com

Aug. 10 to 12: Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church, 271 Main St., will have vacation Bible school from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Aug. 10 and 11 at the church and 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 12 at Leechburg Pool in Gilpin. Children ages 3 through those going into sixth grade welcome. Registration required. Registration: the VBS tab at crcpc.org or 724-845-1901

Lower Burrell

Today: Peoples Library will host, “Tails Around the World” with master storyteller Alan Irvine at 1:30 p.m. in front of the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Irvine will share high-energy folk tales including the Three Little Pigs, the Three Bears and Anansi the Spider. No reservations required. Details: 724-339-1021

Today: A luncheon bingo will be at 12:30 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. Doors open at 11 a.m. Admission includes lunch, 15 games at $20 each; four specials at $30 each; and a $100 must-go jackpot. Bring a dauber. Details: 724-335-4131

Today: The Lower Burrell Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the municipal building, 2800 Schreiber St. Lower Burrell Lions will sell brooms.

Monday: Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the post banquet room, Wildlife Lodge Road. New members should bring their membership card.

New Kensington

Today and Monday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Mondays. The closet offers clothing for all members of the family, uniforms for students at Mary Queen of Apostles School, shoes, purses, household items, linens and blankets. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Donations accepted during open hours only. Take a free chance on a basket raffle monthly.

Monday: New Kensington Municipal Authority will meet at 7 p.m. at the office, 120 Logans Ferry Road. Details: 724-335-9813

July 29: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is accepting orders for a Fat Cat’s Subs hoagie sale. Varieties: Italian, turkey or ham and cheese, $9. Pickup: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 4 to 6 p.m. July 29 at Fat Cat’s Subs, 832 Fifth Ave. Pay at pickup. Cash or checks only. Order deadline: 9 a.m. July 23. Orders: tlibengood@animalprotectors.net

Oct. 9: Tables reservations are being accepted for a crafter and vendor show at East Ken Community Center, 1785 Seventh St. Cost: $10. Details: Marie, 724-472-5106

Oakmont

Today: An indoor yard sale will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oakmont United Methodist Church, 439 Maryland Ave. Details: 412-828-9499

Parks

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will host a Music Night from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Members and guests welcome. Details: 724-845-2390

Plum

Sunday: An indoor/outdoor craft show will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the American Legion, 7824 Saltsburg Road. There will be food, a bake sale and raffles. Free parking and shuttle from S&T Bank, 7660 Saltsburg Road. Sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. Details: 412-795-9112

Monday: The Monday Market will be from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Plum Creek Park baseball fields, 1040 Ross Hollow Road. Vendors change weekly.

Springdale 

Monday: The Geraldine Yanni Summer Science Club for children in third through sixth grade at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. The theme for each night will be STEM. Space is limited. Registration required. Registration: 724-274-9729

Wednesday: Springdale Free Public Library will offer a adult crafting class to make marble sun catchers at 1 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Wire and marbles provided; bring needle nose pliers and a plastic lid from a butter dish or something similar. 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. A dollar breakfast will be from 8 a.m. to noon and a used book sale will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: 724-224-9220

Sunday: 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.

Vandergrift

Today: Bingo will begin at 7 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 141 Sumner Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The kitchen will be open.

Monday: An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from noon to 6 p.m. in the banquet room of the Masons, 113 Washington Ave. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code Vandergrift

Through July 31: Vandergrift Public Library, 128C Washington Ave., is having a book sale during library hours. Cost: $3 per Giant Eagle-sized bag available at the library. DVDs, audio books and puzzles available separately.

Aug. 31: Vandergrift Public Library is raffling a patriotic quilt made and donated by library patron Jane Strohm to benefit the library. Cost: $1 each or $5 for an arm’s length. The drawing will be Aug. 31. Tickets: stop in at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Details: 724-568-2212

Verona

Monday: Oakmont and Verona Republican Committees will have a joint meeting at 7 p.m. at Hula Bar, 759 Railroad Ave. Kala Mologne from 1776 Freedom’s Calling will be the guest speaker. Tony Moreno, Republican candidate for mayor of Pittsburgh will be in attendance.

West Deer 

Aug. 12: Orders are being accepted for a hoagie sale to benefit the West Deer Dog Shelter. Varieties: turkey, Italian and vegetarian, $9. Order due date: July 29. Pick-up: 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 12 at the West Deer Township building, 109 East Union Road. Orders: marleenmeyer2020@gmail.com or text 412-709-0978