The Stroller, March 13, 2024: 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.

Bowling party fundraiser to aid Animal Protectors

The Pins for Pets bowling party to benefit Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Nesbit Bowling Lanes, 3501 Leechburg Road, Plum.

Admission is $25; $15 for children 10 and younger, and includes two hours of bowling, shoe rental, two slices of pizza, cake, pop and snacks. There will be a basket raffle and 50-50.

For tickets, visit animalprotectors.net or stop in at the shelter, 730 Church St., New Kensington.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: Apollo Hose Co. 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: The Yarn Good Time needle arts group at Apollo Memorial Library will meet from 5 to 7 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. All ages and skill levels welcome. Details: 724-478-4214.

Sunday : St. James Parish is selling tickets for a Luck of the Irish lottery ticket raffle. Cost: $10, includes two three-digit numbers. The winner receives a complete roll of $5, $10 and $20 Pennsylvania scratch-off lottery tickets. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. Daily Pick 3 number on March 17. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776, and in the parish office. 

Arnold

Thursday: A free community lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Tomb, 1821 Fifth Ave. Details: 878-847-5646.

Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its pierogi sale. Varieties: cottage cheese, potato or sauerkraut. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Friday in the church social hall. Cost: potato or sauerkraut, $12 per dozen; cottage cheese, $15. Orders: 724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

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: The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center will distribute free grab-and-go lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the center parking lot, 917 Brackenridge Ave. Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

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

Sunday : Pioneer Hose Company Auxiliary will host a spring bingo at 1 p.m. at the firehall, 124 Morgan St. Doors open at noon. Cost: $25 in advance; $30 at the door; includes six cards for 20 regular games and three cards for five specials. The kitchen will be open and there will be cash prizes, a $500 jackpot game, a silent auction and 50-50 raffle. Tickets: Emily, 724-882-5908.

East Vandergrift 

March 24: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is selling raffle tickets for a half a cow and a $100 gift certificate to Anna’s Cucina Rustica in Vandergrift. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. March 24 Pa. Daily Pick 3 number. Cost: $10 for two numbers. Tickets: Deborah, 724-859-3186; Patricia, 724-568-3409, or after Sunday Mass in the church vestibule.

Freeport

Today: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry 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 7:15 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Harrison 

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: tops and bottoms for men and women, $50 cents; children’s clothing, 25 cents. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.

Today: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a Baby and Me program at 9:30 a.m. for children 15 months and younger and their caregiver at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Bring a blanket to sit on. Details: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

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 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 due to lack of space. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

Today : The Coffeehaus Teen Book Club will meet from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the library. Students who are at least in seventh grade are welcome to read any book of their choice and come ready to chat about it with other members. There will be coffee and a snack. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/5n6uheh3.

Thursday: Burtner House Restoration Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Harrison Township municipal building, 1 Municipal Drive. New members welcome.

Fridays: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host Toddle Time for children 15 months to 3 years of age and their caregiver at 9:30 a.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. No reservations required. Details: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

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.

Friday : Allegheny Valley Hospital Auxiliary is sponsoring a raffle for a Hilton Head, S.C., vacation. The prize includes seven nights in a condo either the week of June 30 to July 7, 2024 or Aug. 11 to 18, 2024 at Shelter Cove Harbor in Hilton Head. Meals and transportation not included. Tickets: $2 each or three for $5, cash and checks accepted. Tickets will be sold from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the hospital main lobby, 1301 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights. The winner will be drawn at 3 p.m. Friday. Proceeds benefit auxiliary projects for the hospital.

March 23: The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary will sponsor a purse bash bingo from 1 to 4 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Drive. Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch will be served at noon. Cost: $35, includes lunch. There will be a 50-50 raffle, pull tab tickets, cash bar, silent auction, pick-of-the-table and mystery raffle. Must be at least 18 to attend. Proceeds will be used for building maintenance. Tickets: Deb, 412-298-6175 or Michelle, 724-889-7136, at the post bar.

April 27: Faith Lutheran Church is accepting table reservations for an indoor garage sale planned for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 1500 Broadview Blvd. Cost: $15. Space is limited. Details: 724-224-5777.

Jefferson Township

Thursday: Allegheny Valley League of Artists will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the community room of Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Doodling artist Larry Brandstetter will speak and share some of his drawings. Space is limited and reservations are required. Reservations: Patti, 724-335-2914.

March 14 through May 1: Good Samaritan Hospice, a mission of Concordia Lutheran Ministries, will sponsor a free grief support group for adults from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays March 13 through May 1 in the second floor classroom at Concordia at Cabot Haven II, 148 Marwood Road, entrance 5. Reservations required today. Reservations: Brittany Foy, 800-720-2557, ext. 4428.

Leechburg 

Saturdays: The Leechburg Area Museum is closed for the season. Appointments during the off-season: 724-845-8914 and leave a message or email lamahs@windstream.net.

New Kensington 

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Sales are from 6 to 6:50 p.m. Cost: $25 for a 12-on package; specials will be available. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

Thursday: Knead Community Café will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the cafe, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals are sponsored in memory of Bob and Shirley Gaffron and Fran Woytek. Details: 878-847-7997.

North Apollo

April 13: North Apollo Volunteer Fire Department is accepting space reservations for a craft and vendor fair set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the firehall, 311 16^th St. Details: Allison King, 724-472-5346 or kingal0103@gmail.com; or Amber Harman at 724-596-0486 or amberharman2015@outlook.com.

Oakmont

April: Riverview Community Action Corporation is selling tickets for a lottery calendar raffle based on the 7 p.m. Pa. Daily Lottery Pick 3 drawing. Cost: $5 each; three for $10. Tickets: stop in at the front desk, 501 Second St. Details: 412-828-1062.

April 13: Table reservations are being accepted by Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church for a fleatique set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church social hall, 12 Washington Ave. Cost: $30. Paid reservation deadline: March 29. Reservations: Maria, 412-828-7549; or Jean, 412-243-1262.

Parks Township

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.

March 24: Basket auction donations are being accepted for a spaghetti dinner to benefit Lower Kiski Ambulance Service medic Dina Filo O’Neil who was injured while on duty. The dinner will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Parks Township Volunteer Firehall, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Donations: Stacy, 724-664-9887; or Joel, 724-351-0323.

Saxonburg 

Thursday: The dementia caregiver support group at South Butler Community Library will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library, 240 W. Main St. The group will meet the second Thursday of each month and provides a safe place for caregivers to share their feelings and discuss their day-to-day challenges. No reservations required. Details: Michelle Govan, RN, 724-504-5512.

Springdale

Thursday: Lower Valley Community Food Bank will distribute food from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday from the rear entrance of the Springdale borough building, 325 School St. Do not arrive before 12:45 p.m. Anyone in need of food who lives in Springdale, Springdale Township, Cheswick, Harmar and the sections of Indiana Township and West Deer with a zip code of 15024 is welcome. New recipients can register Thursday.

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. Recipients must register in advance. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Distributions will be 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.

Vandergrift

Today: Vandergrift Public Library will host a toddler time program for children 4 and younger and their caregiver at 11 a.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. This months theme will be Dr. Seuss. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Today: The Anime Club for children in fifth through 10^th grade at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Details: 724-568-2212.

Washington Township

Today: Poke Run Presbyterian Church will host its free monthly Soup for the Soul luncheon at noon at the church, 1091 Poke Run Church Road. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. The event is the second Wednesday of the month and runs through May. Details: 724-327-5563.

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

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.

West Deer

Today: East Union Presbyterian Church will have spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church, 292 East Union Road. Dine in or takeout. Menu: spaghetti with choice of meat, marinara, meatball or mushroom sauce, salad, rolls and dessert. Donations will be accepted via cash or Venmo. Details: 724-265-1381.

West Leechburg 

Saturday : A cash bash to benefit the Apollo-Ridge Touchdown Club will be at the West Leechburg Firehall, 1116 Gosser St. Doors open at 4 p.m. and dinner will be served at 5 p.m. Drawings will start at 6 p.m. Cost: $20, includes food and beverages. Tickets: Michelle, 724-393-6427 or Richelle, 724-454-7851.

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 is sizes for preemie through size 10/12 available as well as stroller, car seats, toys and more. No reservations required. Details: 724-524-1809 or tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.