The Stroller, Nov. 29, 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.

Westmoreland County Marines to supply Christmas groceries

Westmoreland County Marines will provide Christmas groceries to local veterans’ families in need.

Registration is required by Dec. 15. Veterans must provide proof of military service such as a drivers license with the American flag on it, or a copy of their DD-214 discharge papers when picking up groceries. To register, call Jim Walters at 724-681-6293 or email waltersusmc@comcast.net with full name, address, telephone number and branch of service.

Funds for the project come from local residents and businesses. To make a financial donation, mail a check payable to Westmoreland County Marines, in care of Jim Walters, 176 Hilltop Drive, Lower Burrell PA 15068.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: 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.

Friday: Grace Assembly of God, formerly known as Apollo Assembly of God, will host an open mic session at 7 p.m. at the church, 609 First Ave. Extension. Everyone is welcome to sing and/or listen.

Dec. 9: Apollo Memorial Library will host a free visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus event at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Sessions will be at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. There will be a story time, pictures, a craft and refreshments. Reservations required and space is limited. Reservations: 724-478-4214.

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. Fridays in the church social hall. Cost: $12 per dozen. Orders: 724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Bethel

Today: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will present a free screening of the film “First Snow in the Woods: The Movie” at 6 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. The movie is based on the award-winning children’s book by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick. There will be snacks, drinks and a craft. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongodc.org.

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.

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

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

Fawn

Dec. 9: A Breakfast with Santa will be from 10 a.m. to noon at Fawn No. 1 Social Hall, 1948 Firehouse Lane. Cost: $10, 2 and younger, free. There will be a Christmas basket raffle. Tickets: fawnfireevents@gmail.com or Venmo @fawnfire-department with the name and number of tickets requested.

Freeport

Today: 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

Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7:15 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Harrison 

Today: 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. Clothing will be available at very low cost. Donations welcome during these hours.

Today: 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.

Today: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean fall 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.

Tuesday : Community Library of Allegheny Valley is accepting orders for a pasta sale through Dec. 5 online and at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Varieties include shapes such as animals, sports and more. Details: tinyurl.com/3saub7e4.

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.

Jefferson

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

Leechburg

Dec. 16: Holy Innocents Anglican Church, 366 Third St., is accepting orders for its annual Christmas bake sale. Orders are being taken for assorted homemade cookie trays. Cost: large trays, $40; small trays, $30. Order deadline: Thursday. Orders: 724-882-2665, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Lower Burrell

Today: A family story time will be at 1 p.m. at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursdays: Redemption Church, 232 Hillcrest Drive, will offer a GriefShare support group for anyone who has lost a loved one at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays through Dec. 14 at the church. Reservations appreciated, but not required. Reservations: GriefShare.org.

Thursday: Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter St., will host an arts, crafts and STEM workshop for all ages at 1 p.m. at the library. Details: 724-339-1021.

New Kensington

Today: Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St., will have a family story time will be at 11 a.m. Details: 724-339-1021.

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.

Dec. 12: The Myrrh Bearing Women of St. George Orthodox Church are accepting orders for a Christmas sweets sale. Pickup: 11 a.m. to noon Dec. 12 at the church, 1150 Leishman Ave. Prices: baklawa, $14 per 10-piece section; and sambosic, $3 each. Quantities are limited. Order deadline: Dec. 5. Orders: 724-337-3918.

Parks Township

Friday: Parks Township Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. in the firehall, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Plum

Dec. 6: Plum Community Center will host a holiday dinner dance from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the center, 499 Center New Texas Road. Cost: $10, includes holiday meal, cookie table, mocktails and dancing. There will be a guest appearance by Take Three. Ticket deadline: Friday . Tickets: 412-795-2330.

Springdale 

Dec. 8: Springdale Free Public Library and Springdale Borough will host a tropical holiday party for all ages from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the gymnasium of the borough building, 325 School St. There will be crafts, snacks and photos with Santa. Dress in Hawaiian attire or an ugly holiday sweater.

Tarentum

Today: 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.

Weekdays: Free food and hygiene items are available at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., suite 12. Hours: noon to 8 p.m. Mondays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Details: 724-224-9006.

Vandergrift  

Today: 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.

Dec. 31: Vandergrift Public Library is conducting a 100,000 penny collection challenge through the end of the year. Bring your pennies to the library, 128C Washington Ave., or TinyCause or Champion’s Crusaders Rescue. Funds raised will be split between the three organizations.

Washington Township

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

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.