The Stroller, March 7, 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.

Freeport Hockey Boosters to host night at the races

A St. Patrick’s Day night at the races will be March 17 at The Avenue, 111 Rock N Roll Lane, Buffalo Township.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is $20 and includes a light buffet and soft drinks. BYOB Horses will cost $10 and an optional table reservation for eight people is $10. The event is sponsored by the Freeport Hockey Boosters. For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/2uyv7fnj.

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.

Wednesdays and Saturdays: Apollo Area Historical Society Museum, 317 N. Second St., is closed for the season. Visits are available by appointment. Appointments: 724-478-2849 or 724-212-9255.

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. to knit, crochet, embroider or cross stitch. All ages and skill levels welcome. Details: 724-478-4214.

Arnold

Today: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., will sponsor a bingo night. Doors open at 6 p.m. There is a $1,000 jackpot game with a $500 consolation prize. Pierogi, snacks, drinks, daubers and extra packages will be sold. Admission: $25.

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. Fridays 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.

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

Thursday: Bingo will begin at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave.

Freeport

Wednesday: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from noon 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. Donations must be laundered and free from smoke and pet hair. Handicap 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.

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

Harrison

Wednesday: Faith Lutheran Church, 1500 Broadview Blvd., will host a Becky’s Closet community clothing store from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Clothing available at very low cost. Donations welcome during this time.

Wednesday: The Anime Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd., will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library. Focused for adults, but teens who are at least in ninth grade welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or AlleghenyValleyLibrary.org.

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. Details and alternate times: 724-226-0606, ext. 10.

Wednesday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will sponsor a free anxiety release workshop at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Leah Pardee will be the speaker. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or 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 spring 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.

Jefferson

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

Kiski Township

March 26: A gun bash will begin at noon at Kiski Township Volunteer Firehall, 1037 Route 56. Doors open at 11 a.m. Cost: $25, includes two numbers for the drawing, food and drink. There will small games of chance and a 50-50. Tickets: Christine, 724-541-6345.

Leechburg

Thursday: A New Path Al-Anon Family Group, a free, confidential program for anyone whose life has been affected by someone else’s drinking, will meet at 7 p.m. online for the winter months. Details: tinyurl.com/yp6hd8zn.

McCandless

Wednesday: The Sealarks Women’s Group will meet at 1 p.m. at Memorial Park Church, 8800 Peebles Road. The program will be a tai chi demonstration. The group provides Christian fellowship and social activity for women who are widowed, divorced or never married. New members welcome. Details and reservations: Edie, 412-487-7194.

New Kensington

Thursday: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals were sponsored by Cheryl L. Scheck. Details:878-847-7997.

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

March 21: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is accepting orders for a hoagie and pizza sale. Cost: $10 for a 14-inch hoagie or 12-inch pizza. Hoagie varieties: Italian, turkey, roast beef, smoked ham and cheddar, All American, ham and Swiss, traditional, ham club and three cheese. Pizza varieties: pepperoni, white and cheese. Order deadline: 5 p.m. Saturday. Pickup: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 4 to 6 p.m. March 21 at Animal Protectors, 730 Church St. Cash or checks accepted at pickup. Orders: tlibengood@animalprotectors.net or animalprotectors.net.

Oakmont

Today: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at 6 p.m. at Oakmont United Methodist Church, 419 Maryland Ave. Monthly dues: $5; first meeting is free. Details: vrevilla@pointpark.edu.

Springdale  

Wednesday : Springdale Free Public Library will host an evening story time with Linda Medwig, author of, “The Big Sneeze” at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. All ages welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

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 on Thursday.

March 15: Springdale Free Public Library will host an evening story time for all ages with author James Turner at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Turner will discuss his book, “How the Cat Got Its Sound.” Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

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.

Thursday: The free diaper bank at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. One distribution per child per month is available. Details: 724-224-9006.

Vandergrift 

Wednesday : A toddler story time will be at 11 a.m. at Vandergrift Public Library, 128C Washington Ave. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Wednesday: Vandergrift Public Library will host an Anime Club for children in fifth through 10^th grade from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. No reservations required. Details: 724-568-2212.

March 31: Vandergrift Public Library is raffling a quilt made and donated by library patron Jane Strohm to benefit the library. Cost: $1 each; 5 for 10; and $10 for 25 tickets. The drawing will be March 31. Cash, check or PayPal accepted. Details and a photo of the quilt: Vandergriftpubliclibrary.org. Tickets: stop in at the library, 128C Washington Ave.

Washington Township

Wednesday: 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.

West Deer

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

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