The Stroller, Feb. 5, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

The Stroller is compiling a list of fish fries taking place Ash Wednesday and/or Fridays during Lent. To your non-profit’s fish fry listed in the paper and online, send complete information in writing to Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084 or email cpinto-smith@triblive.com.

Tax help available 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.

Job help program offered for those recovering from opioid use

Lost Dreams Awakening in New Kensington will host an employment program for those recovering from opioid use at noon Wednesday at the center, 408 Eighth St., rear.

Presented by Workforce Development of Westmoreland Community Action, topics will include resume development, interview skills, job skills training and job placement. Face masks are required.

Reservations are required. To make a reservation, text 724-875-0924.

Cat rescue seeking food donations

Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue in New Kensington is seeking donations of canned cat food.

Contributions can be dropped off from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the rescue, 730 Fifth Ave.

Tell us about your fish fry

The Stroller is compiling a list of fish fries taking place Ash Wednesday and/or Fridays during Lent. To your non-profit’s fish fry listed in the paper and online, send complete information in writing to Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084 or email cpinto-smith@triblive.com.

Calendar

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.

Arnold

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: plain, blueberry, pecan and chocolate chip pancakes and french toast. Dine in or take out. Cost: $7.50; 12 and younger, $5. Details: 724-339-2377

Saturday: Homemade doughnuts will be sold from 6 to 11 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1721 Victoria Ave. Orders: 724-339-4830

Butler County

Tuesday: The Butler chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness will host an information session, “Bridges of Hope,” at 6 p.m. online at Zoom.us to educate and promote the exchange of information to faith communities about mental illness. A question-and-answer session will be afterward. Registration required by Monday. Details and registration: 724-431-0069 or info@namibutler.org

East Vandergrift  

Saturday and Sunday: A rummage sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and noon to 1 p.m. Sunday in the basement of Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church, 420 McKinley Ave. Face masks and social distancing required.

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

Gilpin 

Saturday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department is accepting orders for a drive-thru chicken dinner planned for 3:30 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road. Menu: baked chicken breast and thigh, rigatoni, parsley potatoes, corn, coleslaw and cake, $10. Orders: 724-845-7200, leave a message

Feb. 16: An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from 12:30 to 6 p.m. at Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department social hall, 113 Fire Hall Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code GTVFD

Harmar

Feb. 20: 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.

Harrison

Saturday: A Polish dinner to benefit the building fund of Volunteer Hose Company No. 1 in Natrona will be from noon to 6 p.m. at the Natrona PNA, 14 Linden St. Menu: stuffed cabbage or halushki, vegetable and roll, $9; baked goods available for an additional charge. Delivery available. Dine in option will be available subject to covid rules. Advance orders and questions: Nancy, 724-410-8018

Monday through Feb. 14: Hilltop Hose Company No. 2 is sponsoring a “For the Love of Cash” raffle Feb. 8 through 14. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Drawings will be based on the 7 p.m. Pa. Lottery each day. Tickets: 724-224-9968 or stop in Tuesday evenings at the fire station, 1501 Cambridge St., Natrona Heights.

Leechburg

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

Wednesday: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will host a virtual Bow Wow Bingo at 7 p.m. online at Zoom.us. Cost: $25 for one card; $5 for each additional card. There will be 10 games. A gift card prize will be announced before each game and prizes will be mailed to winners. Bingo cards and instructions will be emailed. Registration required. Registration: animalprotectors.net/events

March 27: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is seeking gift basket and gift card donations for a virtual spring basket raffle. Deadline: Feb. 20 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.

Saxonburg 

Feb. 15: South Butler Community Library is conducting a raffle for a dog basket containing $100 of dog items from Saxonburg Agway, and a $50 Agway gift card. Cost: $1 each or eight for $5. The drawing will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 15. Tickets are available at the library express window, 240 W. Main St., and the Agway, 145 Butler St. Proceeds will benefit the library.

Springdale

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

Tarentum  

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

Sunday and Tuesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St. An opportunity for silent prayer will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday: The Tarentum Council meeting planned for Feb. 2 is rescheduled to be at 6 p.m. Tuesday online at Zoom.us. Details: tarentumboro.com. Access information: ID 724-224-1818; audio only, call 301-715-8592

Upper Burrell

Saturday: Manchester Reformed Presbyterian Church, 204 Manchester Hill Road, will have an indoor flea market from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church. Proceeds will benefit the church Mercy Fund that benefits those in need.