The Stroller, Nov. 24, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

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Luminate Leechburg event set Saturday

The annual Luminate Leechburg holiday celebration will be from 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday in Leechburg.

Activities will include photos sessions with Santa, back of the house tours at Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market, a story hour at Leechburg Public Library, a scavenger hunt and parade at 5:30 p.m. A free after-party featuring the Steel Mill Rising band and an ugly Christmas sweater contest will be from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Marconi Club, River Avenue.

For a complete schedule, visit Leechburg Area Community Association on Facebook.

Pet food, supply collection to benefit local animal rescues

A Pups and Paws collection drive will continue through Dec. 20 at the Citizens Bank located inside Giant Eagle in Allegheny Township.

Items collected will be donated to Champions Crusaders Rescue in Parks and Animal Protectors in New Kensington. Items needed most include any brand of wet or dry dog and cat food, blankets, towels, training treats, pet toys, Nylabones, canned pumpkin, canned chicken, uncooked white rice, and creamy peanut butter that does not contain xylitol.

For details, contact Brittany McLaughlin at brittanymarie147@gmail.com.

Stuff the Cruiser events planned in Saxonburg

Saxonburg Police Department will sponsor Stuff the Cruiser events from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Saxonburg Coffee and Tea, 211 W. Main St., and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at South Butler Community Library, 240 W. Main St., both in Saxonburg.

Bring an unwrapped gift of a new toy, book and winter clothing for boys and girls. Donations will be given to the Lighthouse Foundation of Butler County.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Prize amounts have been raised and there will be a $1,000 must-go jackpot. Details: 724-478-4831.

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.

Buffalo Township

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 today.

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.

Freeport

Today: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Cash only. Donations of clothing, winter coats, shoes, bedding and purses welcome. Donations must be laundered and free from pet hair. Details: 724-295-3095.

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: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Masks required. Clean fall and winter clothing in all sizes is needed. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

Today: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open to anyone in need from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Pull into the center parking lot and food will be placed into your vehicle. Those who are not yet registered should come from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

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.

Leechburg  

Today: Leechburg Public Library, 139 Market St., offers a free Senior Stretch chair class at 10:30 a.m. Details: 724-236-0080.

Saturday: Leechburg Public Library will host an event to open the holiday season from 3 to 5 p.m. at the library, 139 Market St. The theme will be, “Polar Express.” Make an ornament for the library Christmas tree and a second one to take home for your tree. Supplies will be available to make a Christmas card for a veteran at the annual Five Forces holiday dinner in December.

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.

New Kensington

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. 1: Peoples Library will host an online discussion with author and Valley News Dispatch correspondent George Guido at 7 p.m. on Zoom.us. Guido will discuss his book, “Neighborhoods of the Alle-Kiski Valley.” Reservations required. Reservations: 724-339-1021, ext. 10 and provide your name, phone number and email address, or visit Peoples Library on Facebook.

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: Friday. Orders: 724-226-0942 or saintjohnnewken@gmail.com.

Springdale 

Dec. 1: Springdale Free Public Library will offer a program about essentials oils and plant medicine at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Peter C. Durny will be the speaker. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Dec. 3: The staff at Springdale Free Public Library will host a Parents’ Night Out from 6 to 8 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Drop off your children age 5 through fourth grade and they will be entertained while you go shopping, wrap presents or just get a quiet moment. Reservations and face masks required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Today: BridgePoint Church will offer, “Stop, Drop and Read,” from 3 to 4 p.m. in the church children’s library, 400 E. Ninth Ave. Free children’s grab-and-go meals will be distributed.

Today: Bingo at the Elks is canceled.

Upper Burrell

Dec. 11: Upper Burrell Senior Citizens Holiday Drive-thru Celebration will be from 1 to 3 p.m. at the township building. Seniors must live in Upper Burrell. Reservations required by Dec. 3. Reservations: 724-335-3517.

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 

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.

Dec. 2: Vandergrift Public Library’s free Light up the Library event will be at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Children and their families can attend at 5:30, 6 or 6:30 p.m. to allow for social distancing. Face masks optional. Activities will include card making, ornament building, cookie decorating, refreshments and pictures with Santa. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Washington Township

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.