The Stroller, Nov. 18, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Is your church or organization going to host a community holiday event? Send information to The Stroller as soon as possible to vndnews@tribweb.com. Please include a daytime telephone number.

St. Margaret Foundation to present gift bags to holiday patients

St. Margaret Foundation is raising money to deliver gift bags to patients who are hospitalized on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day at UPMC St. Margaret, Pittsburgh.

The Thanksgiving gift will be an orange organza bag holding a metal turkey sculpture that includes a flickering votive candle LED light and a special holiday message. The Christmas gift will be a green bag with a mercury glass snowflake votive holder.

To contribute, visit StMargaretFoundation.org/donate.

Annual Christmas for Vets event planned Dec. 5

Five Forces will host its fifth annual Christmas for Veterans event Dec. 5 at the School House Hall, 171 Thorn St., Oklahoma Borough.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6. There will be a DJ, raffles and merchandise available to purchase.

All veterans and current members of the military are welcome. Veterans must show DD214 paperwork, current military ID or proper discharge paperwork. Tickets are free for veterans and current military. Guest tickets are $20 each, plus drinks.

For tickets and information, call 412-216-9511 or 724-882-9852 or email fiveforces14@yahoo.com.

Orders being accepted for AFS citrus fruit sale

Orders are being taken for the annual Highlands High School AFS fruit sale.

The sale will be conducted online, and deliveries will be to customers’ homes or anywhere in the continental U.S. in time for Christmas. Fruit available includes large and small boxes of California navel oranges and ruby red grapefruit, tangelos, clementines, pears, apples and mixed boxes.

To order, click here. Online order deadline is Nov. 29.

To order after Nov. 29 or make a cash donation, contact Kathy Harenski at kharenski@icloud.com. Sales after Nov. 29 must be paid by check or cash.

Calendar

Apollo

Dec. 12: Reservations are being accepted for a vendor fair planned for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. James Church Parish Center, 109 Owens View Ave. Table cost: $20 with electricity; $15 without electricity. Face masks and social distancing required. Registration and details: Linda, 724-882-8776

Buffalo Township

Friday: Buffalo Township Zoning Hearing Board will meet 5:30 p.m. at Buffalo Volunteer Fire Company, 565 Sarver Road. Face masks required and not supplied. Maximum meeting size is 30 people.

Freeport 

Today: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. at the church. Winter clothing is available. Cash only. Donations must be laundered. Details: 724-295-2476

Gilpin

Nov. 24: An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department social hall, 113 Fire Hall Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code GTVFD

Harmar

Thursday: Harmar Supervisors will conduct the regular meeting at 6 p.m. online. Access information: harmartownship-pa.gov/

Harrison 

Today: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open to anyone in need from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Pull into the center parking lot and food will be placed into your vehicle. Senior boxes are now being distributed Wednesdays instead of Thursdays. Those who are not yet registered should come after 3 p.m. Proof of income is no longer required. Donations: avaoc.org/donate/financial-support/

Thursday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer free a program, “Magic Tree House Adventures,” for children in first through fourth grade at 4:30 p.m. online at Zoom.us. This month’s book will be, “Thanksgiving On Thursday.” Registration required. An activity and craft packet can be scheduled for pickup. Registration: 724-226-3491

Friday: Polish National Alliance will sell fish sandwich, shrimp and chicken dinners from 2 to 6 p.m. at the lodge, 14 Linden St., Natrona. Menu: entree, fries and coleslaw, $6; desserts, $1. Other sides available. Details: 724-224-4471

Leechburg

Today: 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. Basic computer skills required. Ancestry.com and Newspaper.com are available. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154

Thursdays: 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. in First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St. Face masks and social distancing required.

Lower Burrell 

Today: The Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary is collecting non-perishable food for the Salvation Army through Nov. 18 at the post, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road. A donation container is in the post canteen.

New Kensington

Thursday: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go dinners from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the café, 1011 Barnes St. Sponsors for this week’s distribution are the Just Older Youth (JOY) group from Harvest Baptist Church, Harrison. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while they wait in line. There will be no dinner next week due to Thanksgiving.

Parks

Thursday: Parks Township Sportmen’s Club will have its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. New members welcome. Details: 724-845-2390 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Saxonburg

Dec. 6: South Butler County Library, 240 W. Main St., has suspended in-person programs inside the library building through Dec. 6. Services are available only at the library express window, no appointment required. Window hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, and 9 a.m. to noon Fridays and Saturdays. Details: 724-352-4810 or director@southbutlerlibrary.org

Sharpsburg

Today: The All Virtual chapter of the Women’s Business Network will meet at 7:30 p.m. online at Zoom.us. Those attending can learn how the group supports the success and growth of women in business. Guests welcome at no cost. Reservations required. Reservations and sign on information: Jennifer, 412-908-1663

Tarentum

Today: Tarentum Elks will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the lodge, 219 E. Sixth Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open.

Today: BridgePoint Church, 400 E. Ninth Ave., will host a parent-led learning pod from 1 to 4 p.m. in the church hall located on the lower level. Free high-speed internet, meals and access to the church children’s library will be provided. Use the Corbet Street entrance.

Friday: Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will distribute free diapers from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center. Limit one distribution per child per month. Details: 724-224-9006

Vandergrift

Today: Vandergrift United Methodist Church, 134 Custer Ave., will host a takeout Dollar Dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. or until sold out at the church. Menu: ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, applesauce, muffins and drink, $1. Pickup on the Lincoln Avenue side of the church.

Fridays and Saturdays: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will sell takeout food from 1 to 8 p.m. at the post, 141 Sumner Ave. Curb-side delivery available. Members welcome to dine in. Menu: visit the post Facebook page. Orders: 724-568-1427 after 2 p.m.

Washington Township

Thursday: Washington Township Municipal Authority will meet at 7 p.m. in the municipal building, 285 Pine Run Church Road.

Cancellations and changes 

Harrison

All activities at Burtner House are canceled through the end of the year.

Lower Burrell 

The St. Margaret Mary Parish nut and apricot roll sale is canceled.

Oakmont

Oakmont Hometown Christmas and Parade are canceled

Saxonburg

The annual Saxonburg Holiday Parade sponsored by the Saxonburg Area Business Association is canceled.

Tarentum 

The annual joint Christmas Parade with Brackenridge is canceled.

Vandergrift

Christopher’s Light children’s charity has canceled the annual children’s Christmas party.