The Stroller, Nov. 30, 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.

Show to benefit local Toys for Tots collection

Lower Burrell American Legion will host a charity show featuring the Knockoffs Band from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at the post, 1100 Wildlife Lodge Road.

Admission is $5 or a new toy for Toys for Tots. Must be 21 to attend. Doors and the kitchen will open at 5 p.m. The public is welcome.

Gingerbread house contest announced in Harrison

Community Library of Allegheny Valley and Harrison Township are sponsoring a gingerbread house contest for township residents.

Entries should be dropped off by Dec. 9 at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Houses will be displayed though Dec. 21 and patrons can vote by donation for their favorite design.

Winners will be announced, and prizes awarded Dec. 22. For details, visit harrisontwp.com.

Toys for Tots campaign continues through Dec. 8

Allegheny Valley Regional Police will collect new, unwrapped toys through Dec. 8 for donation to the Allegheny Valley Marine Corps League Toys for Tots campaign.

Toys and monetary donations can be dropped off at the Springdale Township, Cheswick and East Deer municipal buildings. Monetary donations can be sent to Allegheny Valley Regional Police, Attn: Toys for Tots, 100 Plate Drive., P.O. Box 177, Harwick PA 15049. For questions, call 724-274-2843, ext. 3823, or email d.vanwhy@avrpd.com.

Calendar

Apollo

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.

Saturday: Apollo Area Historical Society will host an antique train and vintage Christmas tree display beginning at 11 a.m. at the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. The Kiski Valley Community Band Flute Choir will play from 1 to 1:45 p.m. and the OHCA Carolers will sing from 2 to 3 p.m. There will be cookies and an opportunity to visit with Santa starting at 6 p.m.

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.

Saturday: Homemade doughnuts will be sold from 6 to 10 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1721 Victoria Ave. Cost: $8 per dozen. This will be the last doughnut sale. The church would like to thank everyone who purchased doughnuts and Chuck Crawford for running the project for 25 years. Orders: 724-335-0101.

Saturday: Arnold United Methodist Church, 1801 Leishman Ave., will host an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at the church. Menu: choice of plain, blueberry, pecan and chocolate chip pancakes or French toast, sausage and drink. Dine in or takeout. Cost: $9; 12 and younger, $7. Details: 724-339-2377.

Bell Township

Saturday: A breakfast with Santa will be from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Bell Township Volunteer Firehall, 201 Main St., Salina. Cost: $10, includes all-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage.

Brackenridge 

Today: 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.

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

East Vandergrift

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: A rummage sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 1 p.m. Sunday in the basement of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 420 McKinley Ave. Christmas items will be half off. Details: 724-478-4958.

Saturday: There will be holiday activities for children from 2 to 4 p.m. in the parish hall at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 420 McKinley Ave. Light-up Night activities will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the church lawn. A new Christmas tree-like effect of lights will be unveiled and there will be a fire pit, hot chocolate and more. Sponsored by East Vandergrift Community Foundation.

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.

Gilpin 

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

Harrison 

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.

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature Miss Freddye and the Homecookin’ Band from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Cover charge: $5. Public welcome.

Jefferson

Today: 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: 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.

Today: 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.

Friday: The Mobile Veterans Program will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road. There will be a meet-and-greet, games, crafts, lunch and entertainment. Sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, all veterans are welcome.

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature the Shot O’Soul Band from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

Monroeville

Saturday: A free presentation “Making Meaning During the Holidays” will be at noon in the Yolanda’s Room at Monroeville Public Library, 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd. The program will provide tips and ideas to create worthwhile holiday activities and celebrations. Details: Diana Charlton, dcharlton@charltoncounseling.com.

New Kensington

Today: 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.

Saturday: A toy drive to benefit the New Kensington Salvation Army will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pittsburgh Ice Arena, 700 Craigdell Road.

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.

Oakmont

Saturday: Oakmont United Methodist Church will host its annual Christmas bazaar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 419 Maryland Ave. There will be a bake sale, and lunch, holiday crafts and attic treasures will be sold. Details: 412-828-9499.

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.

Saturday: A Breakfast with Santa will be from 9 a.m. to noon at the firehall, 1119 Dalmatian Drive. Cost: $5, free for children 13 and younger.

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 

Saturday: The Knotty Knitters group at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at noon at the library, 331 School St. The group will now meet the first and third Saturdays of the month. Bring your unfinished knitting or crocheting project. All skill levels welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

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

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.

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: 724-224-9220.

Vandergrift  

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

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.

Saturday: A Breakfast with Santa will be from 8 to 11 a.m. at Poke Run Presbyterian Church, 1091 Poke Run Church Road. Cost: $7; age 4 to 10, $4; 3 and younger, free. Photos with Santa will be sold for $2 and there will be a Santa’s Store featuring miniature poinsettias, ornaments, decorations and gifts. Proceeds will benefit church education programs and missions. Details: 724-327-5563.

West Deer

Saturday: East Union Community Church will sponsor a Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. at East Union Community Center, 292 East Union Road. There will be photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a story corner and children’s activities. Donations will be accepted. Details: 724-265-1381.