The Stroller, Feb. 16, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your non-profit’s meetings, fundraisers and community events in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Blood drive to make monetary contributions to Freeport Food Bank

Zion United Methodist Church, Buffalo Township, will host a community blood drive, “Save Lives, Feed Families,” from 1 to 7 p.m. March 1 in the church Family Life Center, 438 Bear Creek Road.

Appointments are recommended. A contribution to the Freeport Food Bank will be made on behalf of each blood donor to help feed as many as 25 families in need.

Blood donations are tested for covid-19 antibodies. For an appointment, call 412-209-7000 or visit vitalant.org and click on the Schedule Now or New Donor buttons. Search for group code C664.

Tax filing help offered in New Kensington

In partnership with the Internal Revenue Service, free Volunteer Tax Assistance will be available at The River Church, 200 Freeport Road, New Kensington, for those with limited or moderate income, senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

Tax returns will be completed online and filed electronically. To schedule an appointment, call 211 or 888-553-5778. This program is sponsored by Westmoreland County Community Action, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and the Money in Your Pocket Coalition.

Salvation Army free lunch distribution planned Thursday

The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center in Brackenridge offers free grab and go lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays in parking lot at the center, 917 Brackenridge Ave.

Dollar Dinner planned Wednesday in Vandergrift

Vandergrift United Methodist Church, 134 Custer Ave., will host a takeout Dollar Dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. or until sold out at the church. This month’s menu includes chili, crackers, pudding cup, apple sauce and drink, all for $1. Come early; the food sells out quickly.

Pickup is on the Lincoln Avenue side of the church.

Calendar

Allegheny Valley School District

Today: Allegheny Valley School Board, regular meeting, 7 p.m. in Marshall Auditorium at Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School, 501 Butler Road, Springdale. Details: avsdweb.org/

Apollo 

March 17: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a Luck of the Irish scratch-off lottery ticket raffle. Winner will receive one complete roll of $5, $10 and $20 Pa. Lottery scratch off lottery tickets. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. March 17 Pa. Daily Pick 3 number. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776 or after weekend Masses in the church vestibule and the church office, 109 Owens View Ave. Proceeds will benefit the church operating budget.

Apollo-Ridge School District

Today: Apollo-Ridge School Board will conduct the agenda meeting at 6:30 p.m. online. Access information: ApolloRidge.com

Arnold

Today: Arnold Council, special meeting, 4 p.m., online at Zoom.us. Access information: ID, 818 1077 7485; audio only, call 312-626-6799

Brackenridge

Thursday: Bingo will be hosted by the American Legion at 7:15 p.m. at the post, 845 First Ave. Face masks must be worn. Seating arrangements will reflect social distancing. The kitchen will be closed.

East Vandergrift 

March 21: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is selling raffle tickets for a Half A Cow raffle. Winner will receive half a cow, a 20-cubic feet freezer, $200 gift card to Naser’s Foods, $200 gift card to Rukas Beverage and a $100 gift card to Lackey’s Dairy Queen. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. March 21 Pa. Daily Pick 3 number. Cost: $10 for two numbers. Tickets: Deborah, 724-859-3186, after Sunday Mass in the church vestibule and the church office, 400 Kennedy Ave.

Fox Chapel 

February: Fox Chapel Area High School will host a community blood drive during February at the Vitalant Harmar/Fox Chapel Donor Center, 2585 Freeport Road, suite 207. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Donors must be at least 16 years old and will be tested for antibodies to covid-19 for free. Appointments: 866-366-6771 and specify the donation is for the Fox Chapel Area High School drive, or click on the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code HS010025

Fawn

Today: Fawn-Frazer Water Authority will meet at 7 p.m. at the office, 326 Donnellville Road. Details: ffjwa.com

Gilpin

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

Harmar

Today: Harmar Water Authority, regular meeting, 5:30 p.m., 200 Pearl Ave. Details: 724-274-7383

Thursday: Harmar Supervisors, regular meeting, 6 p.m. online. Access information: harmartownship-pa.gov/

Saturday: The designer purse bash planned by Fun and Freedom Youth Sports has been changed to be an all-virtual event beginning at 6 p.m. Cost: $35, includes entry in 13 prize drawings. There will be side and 50/50 raffles and a silent auction. Details: 724-274-7773 or visit the group’s Facebook page.

Leechburg 

Thursdays: 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. Face masks and social distancing required.

April 1: Tickets are on sale for a No Foolin’ Lottery Scratch-off Ticket Raffle to benefit Leechburg Area Community Association and Leechburg Public Library. Winner receives one roll of $20 and one roll of $10 scratch-off tickets. Cost: $5, includes two numbers. Winning number will be the 7 p.m. April 1 Pick 3 number. Tickets: stop in at the library, 139 Market St.

April 17: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company is accepting applications for vendors for an outside Rally on the River set for noon to 6 p.m. at the firemen’s grounds, 268 Canal St. Vendors are responsible for their own signs, tables, chairs and tent. No electricity available. No yard sale tents. Cost: $25 for a 25 x 25-foot area. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090 or Kari, 724-309-6143

New Kensington 

Thursday: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go dinners from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s sponsor is Osterhout Berger Disability Law. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while they wait in line.

Saturday: Rita’s Curbside Soul Food dinners will be sold curbside from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St. Menu: barbequed ribs, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, collard greens, black-eyed peas and cornbread, $12. Orders: kneadcommunitycafe.org or at the café by Thursday

Saturday: St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, 150 Elmtree Road, is taking orders for a frozen pierogi and stuffed cabbage roll sale. Pick-up will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the church. Pierogi varieties: cottage cheese with sugar, cottage cheese, kraut and potato and cheese. Advance orders required. Cost: pierogi, $9 per dozen; stuffed cabbage, 2 for $6, 4 for $12 or six for $16. Orders: saintjohnnewken@gmail.com

March 27: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is seeking gift basket and gift card donations for a virtual spring basket raffle. Deadline: Saturday. Details: Val, vdesanto@animalprotectors.net

May 29: TryLife Center is accepting crafter and vendor applications for a fair set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Quality Inn, 300 Tarentum Bridge Road. Details: 724-339-9399, ext. 105

Parks 

Thursday: Parks Township Sportmen’s Club will have its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. New members welcome. Details: 724-845-2390 from 9 a.m. to noon.

April 10: Pawz for Cure animal charity is accepting reservations for tables and food trucks and gift basket donations for a craft and vendor show planned 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Parks Volunteer Fire Department, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Cost: tables, $25 or two for $35; food trucks, $50. Reservations and details: Joni, 724-681-5935

Saxonburg

Today: Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church, 100 W. Main St., will host a Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church. Dine in or take out. Donations welcome. Use the entrance from the parking lot behind the church.

Springdale

Feb. 23: The Tuesday Night Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. The selection will be, “Happier at Home,” by Gretchen Rubin. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729

February: Springdale Free Public Library is offering a fine amnesty through Feb. 28. Return any overdue item belonging to the library and all fines on that item will be waived, regardless of how long it has been checked out. The book drop is available 24/7 for all items except CDs and DVDs. Details: 724-274-9729

Springdale Township

Thursday: Springdale Township Commissioners, 3 p.m., online at Zoom.us., 724-274-4034.

Tarentum

Today: 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.

Wednesday: Tarentum Elks will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the lodge, 219 E. Sixth Ave. The kitchen will be open from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Upper Burrell

March 17: Upper Burrell and Portvue volunteer fire departments are selling tickets for a Luck of the Irish $15,000 cash prize drawing. Cost: $20 per ticket, includes eight numbers. The winning number will be taken from the 7 p.m. March 17 Pennsylvania Pick 4 number. Details and tickets: text 412-926-4678

Washington Township

March 28: Space applications are being accepted for an auto parts swap meet set for 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Washington Township Volunteer Fire Co., Route 66. Cost: 12 x 24-foot space, $25; 12 x 48-foot space, $45; inside 32-foot space, $55. Vendor set up will begin at 11 p.m. March 27. First come, first served. Items will include parts and accessories from anything automotive, classic, high performance, trucks, cars, motorcycles or boats. Food and beverages will be sold inside. Reservations and details: 724-727-3079, leave a message

Cancellation

Lower Burrell

Feb. 22: The Lower Burrell Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary meeting scheduled Feb. 15 was canceled due to the inclement weather. The meeting is rescheduled to be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at the post, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road. The district meeting and banquet will be at 2 p.m. March 14 at the post. Dept. President Wendi Hennemann will be in attendance.