The Stroller, Nov. 19, 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.

Contributions needed for homeless veterans’ project

Local veterans’ charity Five Forces is collecting personal items for the Homeless Heroes Stocking Project.

The Homeless Heroes Stocking Project works with the Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania to supply stockings for Christmas to more than 2,500 homeless veterans in our area.

Items needed include full-size shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste; wash cloths, soap, plastic toothbrush and soap holders, socks, gloves and $10 gift cards to Walmart or Giant Eagle. Collection boxes are located at Dizzy’s Place and Happy Day Café, both in Leechburg; ABC Academy and Schenley American Legion, both in Gilpin; Dollar Tree in Apollo; and Hands That Care in Natrona Heights, Harrison.

Monetary contributions can be made through PayPal to VLPHomelessHeroes@gmail.com. To arrange a pickup, text Mindy at 724-882-8039.

Pittsburgh Penguin ticket campaign to benefit local charity

Local children’s charity Superheroes Believe in Miracles is participating in the Pittsburgh Penguins Pens4Purpose fundraising program.

For each ticket sold to select Penguins games, Superheroes Believe in Miracles will receive $10. Ticket prices start at $40 each. Games available include Dec. 14, which is Star Wars Night; Dec. 17, and Dec. 21, which is 80s Night.

For details and to purchase tickets, visit fevo.me/penguinssuperheroesdec2021.

Community outreach day planned by Evangel Heights Church

Evangel Heights Church, Buffalo Township, will host a community outreach day Saturday at three locations in the Allegheny Valley.

Free grocery bags of non-perishable food will be distributed while supplies last.

Times and locations are:

• 10 a.m., Freeport borough building, 414 Market St.

• noon, New Kensington Salvation Army, 255 Third St.

• after the Christmas parade, Dreshar Stadium, First Avenue, Tarentum.

Calendar

Apollo

Saturday: Apollo Area Historical Society will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. The current exhibit is a vintage toy display.

Arnold

Saturday: The Tomb Coffeehouse, 1821 Fifth Ave., will have fellowship at 7:30 p.m. Details: 724-339-8888.

Brackenridge

Saturday: Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10^th St., will present a concert featuring The Rust Project Electric Band from 7 to 9 p.m. at the church. The band will play favorites by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Neil Young and more. Donations will be accepted. Details: 724-224-7300.

Buffalo Township

Saturday: A free clothing giveaway will be from 9 a.m. to noon at Evangel Heights Church, 120 Beale Road. Infant, kids, juniors and adult sizes will be available. Everyone welcome.

Dec. 1: GFWC Saxonburg District Woman’s Club will have its annual December banquet at 6 p.m. at Smokin’ Toads, 110 S. Pike Road. Social time will be at 5:30 p.m. Reservations required by Monday.

East Vandergrift 

Dec. 6: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is sponsoring a St. Nicholas Day raffle. Winning numbers will be the noon and 7 p.m. Dec. 6 Pa. Lottery Daily Pick 3 numbers. The noon winner receives $1,000 and a $100 gift certificate to Pounds Turkey Farm. The 7 p.m. winner receives $1,300 and a $100 gift certificate to Pounds Turkey Farm. Cost: $10, for two numbers. Tickets: Deborah, 724-859-3186, the church office or after Sunday Mass in the church vestibule.

Frazer 

Through Saturday: Dasher’s Lightshow at Pittsburgh Mills Mall will have a Toys For Tots fundraiser. Bring a new toy and receive a free show replay of a new show. Buy tickets at bit.ly/TOYS4TotsDASH and a percentage of admission will be donated to Toys For Tots.

Freeport

Ongoing: Freeport Area Library is accepting donations of new and gently-used household items, books, games, puzzles, holiday decor and DVDs for its upcoming sale. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays; noon to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Details: 724-295-3616.

Harrison 

Today: 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.

Saturday: Building Block of Natrona will host its free Veggies for All and Cosmetics Closet outreach for residents in need at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 28 Garfield St., Natrona. Do not arrive before 12:45 p.m. Free produce and personal care and hygiene products will be distributed until supplies run out. No income verification required. Everyone welcome. Masks required.

Indiana Township

Sunday: A spaghetti dinner will be from noon to 5 p.m. at Rural Ridge Volunteer Fire Company, 135 Little Deer Creek Road. Menu: spaghetti, salad, roll, dessert and iced tea, lemonade and coffee; $10; meatballs, $1.50 each; wedding soup, $3; soup, salad and roll, $5; pop and water, $1.

Leechburg

Saturday: Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church free takeout monthly Pot Love Dinner will begin at noon at the church, 271 Main St. Reservations required by noon today. One dinner per family member limit. Those with reservations will be served first. Line-up will be outside and social distancing must be observed. Everyone welcome. Reservations: 724-845-1901 or email church@crcpc.org.

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at First Lutheran Church, 358 Main St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All items are 20 cents each. Customers should wear a face mask and bring a bag. Clothing donations welcome.

Dec. 11 and 12: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company is seeking crafters and vendors for a Christmas craft show set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Cost: $30 for an 8-foot table with two chairs for one day; or $50 for both days. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090 or allermelissa@comcast.net or Shay, 724-596-2858.

Dec. 18: Holy Innocents Anglican Church, 366 Third St., will have its annual Christmas Bake Sale. Orders are being taken for assorted homemade cookie trays. Cost: large trays, $40; small trays, $30. Order deadline: Nov. 30. Orders: 724-882-2665, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

Lower Burrell

Saturday: 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 win $20 each; four specials win $30 each; and a $100 must-go jackpot. Bring a dauber. Details: 724-335-4131

Saturday: The Moose will host karaoke with DJ Lisa from 8 p.m. to midnight at the lodge, 499 Reimer St. Members and guests welcome.

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature Marshal and the Deputies from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

Manor

Nov. 24: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will sponsor a free children’s Thankful for Nature hike and craft event at 10 a.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. There will be an easy- to moderate-rated hike, and then the group will go indoors for hot apple cider, a story, craft and autumn science lesson. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the local food bank. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events/.

New Kensington

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

Nov. 30: Adoption fees will be waived for veterans through the end of the month at Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley, 730 Church St. Details: animalprotectors.net.

Dec. 7: St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church is accepting orders for a pierogi sale. Varieties: potato and cheese, sauerkraut, cottage cheese and cottage cheese with sugar, $10 per frozen dozen. Pickup: 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 7 at the church, 150 Elmtree Road. Order deadline: Nov. 26. Orders: 724-226-0942 or saintjohnnewken@gmail.com.

Parks

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

Penn Hills 

Saturday: A free Allegheny County Health Department immunization clinic will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mt. Hope Community Presbyterian Church, 12106 Frankstown Road. Vaccines available will include flu; Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson for covid-19, boosters for all three vaccines, and the newly approved Pfizer vaccine for children age 5 to 11. Bring immunization records, ID and insurance card. Walk-ins welcome for boosters, teens and 5- to 11-year-olds. Appointments required for all others. Face masks required. Appointments: vax4.alleghenycounty.us.

Plum

Sunday: A drive-thru spaghetti dinner will be from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Joy Church, 2000 Oblock Road. Drive up to the main entrance. Menu: spaghetti, two meatballs, salad with Italian or ranch dressing, Italian bread and butter, $10. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

Saltsburg

Nov. 24: Christopher’s Light is selling tickets for a lottery ticket raffle. Winner will receive $100 in Pa. Lottery scratch-off tickets and $150 in cash. Cost: $5 for four chances. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. Nov. 24 Pa. Pick 3. Christopher’s Light is a non-profit that provides clothing, support and educational services to children in Westmoreland, Indiana and Armstrong counties. Tickets: 724-448-1349.

Springdale 

Saturday: Cub Scout Troop 554 will sponsor a takeout spaghetti dinner fundraiser from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Krivan Hall Association, 628 Garfield St. Menu: spaghetti, salad, bread and dessert, $10; younger than 10, $5; meatballs and sweet sausage, $2; homemade wedding, stuffed pepper or chicken tortellini soups, $7 per quart. Proceeds benefit Pack 554 activities.

Nov. 23: The Tuesday Night Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. The selection will be, “Before We Were Yours,” by Lisa Wingate. Copies are available at the library. New members welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729,

Tarentum

Saturday: 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. Details: 724-224-9220.

Sunday and Tuesday: 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.

Upper Burrell

Dec. 24: Upper Burrell Volunteer Fire Company and Vigilant Hose Company of Port Vue are sponsoring a $15,000 cash raffle. Winning number will be the Dec. 24 Pa. Lottery Pick 4 number. Cost: $20 for eight numbers. Tickets: send a private message on the company Facebook page.

Vandergrift  

Today: Vandergrift Public Library and Kiski Area Youth Network will host a free Teen Afterhours event from 6 to 10 p.m. for students in sixth through 12^th grade at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Teens can enjoy food, games and friends with adult supervision. Reservations required. Reservations: vandergriftpubliclibrary.org/programs/after-hours/. Details: 724-568-2212.

Nov. 30: Vandergrift Public Library, 128C Washington Ave., is having a fall book sale through the end of November at the library. Cost: books, $3 for a Giant Eagle bag; puzzles, $1. Details: 724-568-2212.

Washington Township

Today: 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

Sunday: A takeout spaghetti dinner will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Deer Creek Diner, 13 Creighton Russellton Road, to benefit Deer Lakes Hockey Club. Menu: spaghetti, salad, roll and dessert, $8; 5 and younger, free. Drive-thru service available.