The Stroller, March 4, 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.

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.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesday: 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.

March 17: 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, in the parish office and after weekend Masses in the church vestibule. 

Arnold

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

Brackenridge

Wednesday: 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.

March 17: 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.

Buffalo Township 

Saturday : The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will sponsor a program on maple sugaring at Buffalo Creek Nature Park, 154 Monroe Road. A naturalist will lead a walk through the history of maple sugaring. Sessions will be at 10, 10:30, 11 and 11:30 a.m. Rain or shine. Cost: $10; and Audubon Society members, $6. Reservations required. Reservations: aswp.org/events or call 412-963-6100.

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

Wednesday: 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 

Friday : A Red Cross community blood drive will be from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Gilpin Volunteer Firehall, 113 Firehall Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code GTVFD.

Harmar 

Saturday : The Pittsburgh Shrine Center, 1877 Shriners Way, will host a night at the races at the center. Doors open at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and races begin at 7 p.m. Cost: $25; horses, $10 additional; table of eight, $160. There will be 10 races, small games of chance, food, soft drinks, beer, coffee, a silent auction and a 50-50. Walk-ins welcome. Tickets: tinyurl.com/mrx473jx.

Harrison

Tuesday: The Accordion Club is seeking new players of all ages. Meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6003 Freeport Road. Details: 724-236-0665.

Tuesday: A story time for children age 3 to 5 will be at 10 a.m. at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Siblings welcome. No reservations required.

Wednesday: 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.

Wednesdays: 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.

Wednesday: 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.

Wednesday: 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.

March 15: 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 and March 7, 8, 14 and 15 in the hospital main lobby, 1301 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights. The winner will be drawn at 3 p.m. March 15. Proceeds benefit auxiliary projects for the hospital.

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

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 by March 6. Reservations: Brittany Foy, 800-720-2557, ext. 4428.

Kiski Township 

Sunday : Kiski Township Volunteer Fire Company will host its spring gun bash at noon at the firehall, 1037 Route 56. Doors open at 11 a.m. Cost: $25, includes food and drink. Tickets: Christine, 724-541-6345.

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.

Lower Burrell  

Saturday : Lower Burrell Police Department will sponsor a Vitalant community blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. Appointments recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments: Sharon Crawford, 412-600-4333; 877-258-4825 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use account code 10055683.

New Kensington

Tuesday and Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes and linens. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Winter clothing donations welcome during business hours.

Oakmont

Tuesdays: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. Private weigh-ins will be from 5:45 to 6:10 p.m. and the meeting will be afterward. The first meeting is free. Please note the new location. Details: 412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Parks Township

Saturday : A purse bash to benefit Kiddies’ Korner Nursery School will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at Parks Township Volunteer Firehall, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Doors open at noon. Cost: $30, includes appetizers, desserts, coffee, tea, water and a chance to win 13 designer purses. There will be a basket raffle and 50-50. Winner need not be present. Tickets: 724-478-1420.

Plum

Tuesdays: The Plum Food Pantry, 81 Sandune Drive, distributes free food from 5 to 6:30 p.m. the first three Tuesdays of each month. Details: 724-327-0367.

Tarentum

Wednesday: Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum and History Center will host an evening of scrapbooking from 6 to 8 p.m. at the museum, 224 E. Seventh Ave. Bring your own supplies or supplies will be sold. Details: Melissa, 412-401-7196 or 724-224-7666.

Wednesday: 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.

Wednesdays and Saturdays: The Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society, 224 E. Seventh Ave., is open from noon to 3 p.m. and other times by appointment. Details: 724-224-7666.

Vandergrift

Wednesday: 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

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

West Leechburg

March 16: 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.