The Stroller, Dec. 15, 2022: 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.

Food bank accepting donations for prepared baskets

Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will give out specially prepared food baskets as a Christmas witness. Each basket will contain canned goods, fresh vegetables and a voucher to purchase meat.

Each $15 donation will provide a basket valued over $25 to a family in need. Help make someone else’s Christmas special. Mail your check with your name and address to: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065. All donations will be acknowledged.

Holiday happenings

Santa Claus and his helpers will continue to visit many locations in the Alle-Kiski Valley this weekend. Here are more planned events:

• Santa will ride through East Deer with the firemen from 9 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. Saturday. Tentative schedule: 9 a.m., Juniors, Freeport Road; 9:10 a.m., Upper Marion Street; 9:25 a.m., Lower Marion Street; 9:40 a.m., Fire Pro and Freeport Road; 10 a.m., Old Murray Hill and Yost Drive; 10:10 a.m., top of Murray Hill Estates; 10:25 a.m., back of Murray Hill Estates; 10:35 a.m., lower Murray Hill Estates; 10:40 a.m., Meadow Street; 11 a.m., Front Street; 11:10 a.m., Parsonage Street; 11:30 a.m., Bailies Run and Days Run intersection; 11:45 a.m., Brock Lab on Bailies Run Road; noon, West Ninth and Crystal View Drive; 12:15 p.m., Greco’s; and 12:25 p.m., Bellview Street by the municipal building.

• Free Breakfast with Santa, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Center United Methodist Church, 1575 Donnellville Road, Fawn. Children can get a photo with Santa and decorate a gingerbread man. No reservations required.

• Fawn Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 will have a Breakfast with Santa from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the social hall, 497 Lardintown Road. Cost: $10, includes breakfast, photo with Santa, crafts and face painting. There will be a basket raffle. Proceeds benefit the fire department. Tickets: fawnfireevents@gmail.com.

• Santa will receive visits from children 12 and younger beginning at noon Saturday at Hyde Park Firehall, 291 Railroad St.

• West Deer Volunteer Fire Department No. 2 will escort Santa through its service district beginning at noon Saturday.

• West Deer Volunteer Fire Department No. 3 will bring Santa through its part of the township on Sunday and Monday. Schedule: 4 p.m. Sunday, Cedar Ridge Plan, Grouse Run, Steeplechase, Shoff Farms and Lager Farms; 6 p.m. Monday, Fawn Haven No. 2, Fawn Haven No. 3, Hytyre Farms, Hunt Club, Whispering Pines, Copper Creek, Bairdford and the Links at Deer Run.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesdays and Saturdays: Apollo Area Historical Society Museum, 317 N. Second St., is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations of paper towels, stamps, envelopes, cleaning supplies, colored copy paper and trash bags are welcome. Details: ApolloPAHistory@gmail.com.

Dec. 31: Tickets are on sale for a New Year’s Eve bingo set for 8 p.m. at Apollo Hose Company No. 2, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Cost: $25 before Dec. 22; $30 at the door, includes hot dog and sauerkraut. Full kitchen will be available. There will be 17 regular games, four early birds, four specials, pull tabs and door prizes. Tickets: Shelby, 724-549-1601 or Gina, 724-594-6187.

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.

Sunday : Arnold Fire Station 95-1 and MJ Social Hall will host a Brunch with Santa from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the social hall, 1735 Fourth Ave. Doors open at 10 am. Cost: $15, includes a craft, photo and gift. Tickets: 412-660-1174.

Bethel

Wednesday : The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, 142 Kerr Road, will host a winter solstice celebration at 6 p.m. at the center. There will be a workshop to make a lantern, a short illuminated hike, a story and hot cocoa. Donations accepted. Reservations required. Reservations and details: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

Brackenridge

Today: Allegheny Health and Physical Medicine and Trinity United Methodist Church will have a Vitalant blood drive and Christmas cookie party from 1 to 6 p.m. at the medical office, 825 Freeport Road. Details: 724-224-2224 or dspale@alleghenyhealth.com.

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

Friday: Members of Brackenridge American Legion will go caroling beginning at 6 p.m. in the borough.

Buffalo Township

Saturday: Amethyst Cheerleaders is selling tickets for a Santa is Coming to Town event planned for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the White Star Club, 401 Shuster Drive. There will be music, a bake sale, hot cocoa bar, raffles and a selfie station. Cost: $10 per child, includes digital photo with Santa, a cup of cocoa, reindeer food and a Santa letter writing station. Reservations: Santacomestosarver.com.

Fawn

Saturday : Fawn Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 will have a Breakfast with Santa from 10 a.m. to noon at the social hall, 497 Lardintown Road. Cost: $10, includes breakfast, photo with Santa, crafts and face painting. There will be a basket raffle. Proceeds benefit the fire department. Tickets: fawnfireevents@gmail.com.

Freeport

Saturday: United Presbyterian Church, 411 High St., will host a free community Christmas Bible school for children age 2 to 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church. There will be crafts, songs, a lesson on the Christmas story, lunch and a screening of, “The Star,” a family-friendly animated movie. All volunteers have updated clearances. Please call ahead with dietary restrictions. Details: 724-295-9252 or upcf@salsgiver.com.

Gilpin

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

Harrison  

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.

Friday : Allegheny Valley Hospital Auxiliary will sell tickets for a lottery ticket raffle from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and Dec. 15 and 16 in the Carlisle Corner of the hospital cafeteria, 1301 Carlisle St. Cost: $1 each, cash only. Two winners will each receive a sealed package of 100 $1 Pennsylvania Lottery scratch-off tickets. The drawing will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday. Proceeds benefit auxiliary projects for the hospital.

Friday: The Discovering Family Roots genealogy group at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Share ideas with others, learn new research tips, and see what research resources are available in the library local history department. Reservations requested. Reservations: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Saturday: Building Block of Natrona will host its free Veggies for All and Cosmetics Closet outreach for residents in need at 1 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 28 Garfield St., Natrona. Free produce and personal care and hygiene products will be distributed, first come, first served, while supplies last. No income verification is required. Everyone is welcome. Masks are encouraged, but not required.

Jefferson

Today: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Under new management with higher payouts. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit post and auxiliary projects.

Leechburg

Today: 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.

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.

Saturday: The annual Christmas bake sale will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Holy Innocents Anglican Church, 366 Third St. Cookies, homemade soups and other food will be sold. Preordered cookie trays will be available for pick up.

Lower Burrell

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature the band G6 from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

Saturday: A luncheon bingo will be at 1 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. Doors open at 11 a.m. Admission includes lunch at 12:30 p.m., 15 games that win $20 each; four specials that win $30 each; and a $100 must-go jackpot. Details: 724-335-4131.

New Kensington

Today: Knead Community Café will host its monthly dine-in Breaking Bread Dinner from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the café, 1011 Barnes St. This month’s meal will be a Christmas dinner and is sponsored in memory of Harry and Josephine Hont. No takeout meals will be available. Details: 878-847-7997.

Today: Heritage Hospice will host a free Grief Support group for those who have suffered the loss of a loved one from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the center, 2400 Leechburg Road, building 300. The group meets the third Thursday of each month. Details: Amber, 724-334-6600 or amberhusar@heritagehospicepa.com.

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.

Today: The Secular Organization for Sobriety/Save Our Selves (SOS), a support group for people recovering from alcohol and drug abuse, will meet at 7 p.m. at Lost Dreams Awakening Recovery Community Center, 408 Eighth St. Details: 724-556-0737.

Saturday: Peoples Library will host a STEM project for children of all ages at 11 a.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. No reservations required. Details: 724-339-1021.

Saturday and Tuesday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes and linens. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Summer clothing donations accepted during business hours.

Oklahoma Borough

Saturday: A Christmas movie night featuring the film, “Polar Express,” will be at 7 p.m. at Oklahoma Volunteer Fire Hall, 171 Thorn St. Wear your holiday pajamas. Seating will be provided or bring your own. Refreshments will be sold or BYO. Sponsored by Oklahoma Borough Council. Details: Chuck, 757-374-3876.

Parks 

Today: Parks Township Sportsman Club Association will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. New members welcome.

Plum

Saturday: Plum School District will sponsor a Christmas movie night featuring the film, “The Grinch,” from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the high school gymnasium. Cost: $10, includes bottomless popcorn, hot cocoa and water. Bring a chair or blanket. There will be open seating on the gym floor. Adults must accompany children. Proceeds will benefit Make A Wish.

Saturday: Christmas at the Carpenter Log House, Pierson Run Road, Boyce Park, will be from 1 to 4 p.m. The Masterworks Concert Chorale will sing from 2 to 3 p.m. and children can visit with Santa and his elf and make reindeer food to take home. Donations will be accepted to benefit the Allegheny Foothills Historical Society.

Springdale

Today: Lower Valley Community Food Bank will distribute food from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday from the rear entrance of the Springdale borough building. Do not arrive before 12:45 p.m. Anyone in need of food who lives in Springdale, Springdale Township, Cheswick, Harmar and the sections of Indiana Township and West Deer with a zip code of 15024 is welcome. New recipients can register on Thursday.

Friday: The adult Scrapbooking Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Details: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Today: The free diaper bank at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. One distribution per child per month is available. 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. There will also be a dollar breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon. Details: 724-224-9220.

Saturday: Bethel AME Church will have a $1 takeout spaghetti and meatball dinner from noon to 4 p.m. at the church, 250 W. Seventh Ave. Other menu items: ham and bean, stuffed pepper and green bean and bacon soups, $4; and banana, pumpkin and cranberry orange breads, $5. Details: 724-224-2417.

Saturday: A community carol sing will be at 7 p.m. around the Nativity at Abundant Joy Fellowship, 101 Allegheny St. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.

Saturday: Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will have a Christmas Around the World dinner and program at 5 p.m. at the church. The program will highlight Christmas displays from different nations, and puppet traditions from around the world. Details: 724-224-9220.

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.

Upper Burrell 

Dec. 24: Upper Burrell Volunteer Fire Department and Vigilant Hose Company of Portvue are selling tickets for a $15,000 Christmas Cash Giveaway. Cost: $20 per ticket, includes eight numbers. The winning number will be taken from the 7 p.m. Dec. 24 Pennsylvania Pick 4 number. Details and tickets: ubvfc11training@gmail.com.

Vandergrift

Today and Friday: Victorian Vandergrift Museum and Historical Society will feature a display of photographs and memorabilia from Parks Township through Friday at the museum, 84 Sherman Ave. Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Details: 724-568-1990.

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.