Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Operation Gratitude to benefit troops, first responders

The fourth annual Operation Gratitude Collection drive will continue through July 30.

The public is welcome to write a letter, make a thank you card or color a picture that will be sent in a care package. Creations will be sent to be distributed by Operation Gratitude in California to new recruits, first responders, troops, and veterans and their caregivers. A collection bin is located at Citizens Bank in the Allegheny Township Giant Eagle.

Monetary donations are welcome and help to cover the cost care packages. To donate, visit giving.operationgratitude.com/LeechburgCollectionDrive2022. For more information, email BrittanyMarie147@gmail.com.

Children’s charity seeks volunteers

Children’s charity Christopher’s Light will have informational meetings to recruit new volunteers from noon to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Apollo Memorial Library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

The organization provides free clothing and other necessities to children in Westmoreland, Armstrong and Indiana counties.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. For details, visit christopherslight.com.

Peoples Library plans annual book sale

Peoples Library will have its annual book sale Thursday through July 17 at both the Lower Burrell and New Kensington locations.

The Lower Burrell library, 3052 Wachter Ave., will have non-fiction selections including history, war, sports, travel, religion, cooking, gardening, biography and humor, and books for kids and teens.

Peoples Library New Kensington, 880 Barnes St., will have hardcover and trade fiction, paperbacks, romance novels, mysteries, puzzles, games, music, DVDs and books for kids and teens.

Hours and prices are: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, $1.50 per pound; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, $1 per pound; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 16, $1 per pound; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 17, $3 per bag. The Kona Ice truck will be at the New Kensington library from noon to 2 p.m. Friday and Tom’s Soups will be there from 10 a.m. until sold out Thursday through Saturday.

Calendar

Apollo

Tuesday: The Teen Book Club at Apollo Memorial Library will meet at 5 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Students age 13 to 18 welcome. The selection will be, “The Poet X,” by Elizabeth Acevedo. A copy of the book is free to participants while supplies last. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-478-4214.

Today: A free Movie Night in the Grove will be in Owens Grove Park. The event starts at 8 p.m. and the featured film, “Spiderman: No Way Home” will begin at 9. Free popcorn. Bring a blanket or chair. Rain date: July 23. Sponsored by Apollo Events Committee and Apollo Memorial. Funds for the equipment were donated by the North Vandergrift Slovak Club.

Sunday: Apollo Area Historical Society will offer a free program, “The Underground Railroad,” at 6:30 p.m. at Drake Log Cabin, William Alley. Denise Doyle, director of the Blairsville Area Underground Railroad History Center, will be the speaker. Donations will be accepted. Details: 724-478-2899 or apollopahistory@gmail.com.

Arnold

Sunday: Arnold No. 2 Fire Company will have a flea market from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the social hall, 1702 Fifth Ave. Food and refreshments will be available.

Bethel

July 14: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek and Ford City Library will host a free story night at 7 p.m. at the Crook Creek Park Outflow area. The selection will be, “Steve, Terror of the Seas,” by Megan Brewis and there will be activities. Children 3 and older welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: forms.office.com/r/jMgB6n3N49.

East Vandergrift

Today and Sunday: A rummage sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and noon to 1 p.m. Sunday in the basement of Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church, 420 McKinley Ave.

Sunday: Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish will host bingo at 6:30 p.m. in the social hall, 411 McKinley Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Ford City

July 16: Tickets are on sale for the Ford City Community Kennywood picnic at Klingensmith Drug Stores in Ford City, Kittanning and West Kittanning. Cost: $28 for a FunDay Pass. Passes can also be used weekdays through Aug. 19. An extra $10 fee will be charged to use the tickets on weekends through Aug 19. Bus tickets for the day of the picnic are also available for $8. Details: 412-389-8366.

Gilpin

Today: Take-out chicken dinners will be sold from 4:30 p.m. until the food runs out at Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department, 113 Firehall Road. Menu: baked chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, coleslaw, roll and dessert. $10. Orders: 724-845-7200.

Harrison

Today: The Diaper Pantry at Christ Our Hope Anglican Church, Harrison, will distribute diapers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 926 Painter Ave., and at Sheldon Park, both in Natrona Heights. Recipients must drive up and remain in their vehicles. First-time recipients must provide present their own identification, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card.

Today: A clothing and toy giveaway will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Word of Faith Christian Fellowship, 42 Chestnut St., Natrona. Details: the Rev. Moses S. Simpkins, 412-853-7802.

Monday: The free summer children’s playground program sponsored by Natrona Comes Together Association will present a free craft program at 12:30 p.m. at the Natrona Park pavilion.

July 19: The Who Knew? program at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will present, “Secrets of Our Rivers” at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. and online at Zoom.us. Reservations required. Reservations: call 724-226-3491 or visit the calendar tab at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

July 25 to 29: Harvest Church will host vacation Bible school, “Kidzfest Australia,” for children who are entering kindergarten through fifth grade from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the church, 1207 Pacific Ave., Natrona Heights. Registration: harvestpa.org/events. Details: 724-548-5643.

July 31: A purse bash to benefit Robin’s Home charity that provides help to low income women veterans and their children will be at Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 11 a.m., lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. and bingo begins at 1 p.m. Cost: $35 in advance; $40 at the door; includes lunch. There will be a cash bar, pull tab tickets, a silent auction, pick of the table and raffles. Tickets: 724-904-7649.

Kittanning

Sundays and Thursdays: The Armstrong County Historical Museum, 330 N. McKean St., will be open from 1 to 3 p.m. Other hours available by appointment. Free parking available behind the museum via the North Grant Avenue entrance. Details: 724-548-5707 or achgs300@gmail.com.

Leechburg  

Today and Wednesday: Leechburg Museum will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Alternate times available by appointment. Details: 724-845-8914 or lamahs@windstream.net.

Monday: Leechburg Public Library Board of Directors will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 137 Market St. Public welcome.

Monday: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open.

Tuesday: First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St., will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit donateblood.centralbloodbank.org and use group code G0110175.

Wednesday: The book club at Leechburg Public Library will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 139 Market St. The selection will be, “The Midnight Library,” by Matt Haig. New members welcome. Details: 724-236-0080.

Lower Burrell

Today: The ClothesLine ministry at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 3084 Leechburg Road, will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Clothing, shoes and purses will be discounted to be 10 cents each. The jewelry room will be open. An adult-supervised craft will be available for children while adults shop.

Today: A summer food festival will be from 1 to 6 p.m. at Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 3, Leechburg Road. There will be food and drink vendors, a children’s corner for children 12 and younger with free games and prizes, games of chance and a basket raffle. Free parking available across Leechburg Road at Bon Air Elementary School.

Today: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature the band Memory Lane from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post, Wildlife Lodge Road. Members and three guests welcome.

Today: The Lower Burrell Farmers Market, 2800 Bethel St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lower Burrell Lions will sell brooms.

July 25 to 29: Bethel United Methodist Church, 150 Alder St., will have vacation Bible school, “Rocky Railway,” from 9:30 a.m. to noon for children age 4 to those who have completed fifth grade. Donations will be accepted. Reservations: bethelumc.us.

Manor

Today: The 26th annual Fort Armstrong Championship Rodeo will be at 8 p.m. at Crooked Creek Horse Park, 467 Crooked Creek Dam Road. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Admission: $15; age 4 to 12, $5, younger than 4, free. Details: 724-859-5572 or fortarmstrongrodeo.com.

New Kensington

Today: The Sizzling Summer Night event will be from 4 to 8 p.m. in downtown. There will be fire dancers, performing artists, representatives from non-profits, and food and drinks and businesses will be open.

Today: A yard sale to benefit Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the center, 730 Church St. Items will include pet supplies, household goods and more.

Today and Tuesday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today 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.

July 17: Peoples Library is conducting a basket raffle to benefit the library. Baskets are on display at the New Kensington location, 880 Barnes St., and photographs of the baskets are available at the Lower Burrell library, 3052 Wachter St. The drawing will be July 17. Cost: $5 each. Tickets: at both libraries.

Oakmont

July 31: Reservations are being accepted for the Kerr Museum Victorian Bridal Luncheon set for 12:30 p.m. at Oakmont Country Club. Hats and fascinators welcome. Cost: $75. Reservations required by July 22. Reservations: 412-826-9295.

O’Hara

Aug. 6: A drag bingo featuring Divine Divas to benefit Guyasuta Youth Football will be from 5 to 10 p.m. at Comfort Inn RIDC, 180 Gamma Drive. Doors open at 4 p.m. Admission: $25. Must be at least 18 to attend. Food and drinks will be sold. Tickets: tinyurl.com/mvec3ncw.

Parks

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will host a country music jam night from 5 to 8 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Public welcome. Details: 724-845-2390.

Plum

Today: The free family movie series at Larry Mills Park, 1 Fontana Drive, will feature the movie, “Boss Baby Family Business,” at dusk. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair and blanket. Free popcorn and games.

Springdale 

Monday: Springdale Free Public Library will sponsor a program about bees at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Nancy Thorne from the Beekeepers Association of Western Pennsylvania will be the speaker and will bring an observation hive. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Today: 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 be at 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 8 to 10: Summit Hose Co. is accepting crafter and vendor applications for its Fall Festival. No food vendors, please. Details: Tami Sudy, 878-302-5367 or tamisudy@gmail.com.

Upper Burrell

Aug. 28: Sky View Radio Society is accepting reservations for flea market tailgating spaces at its Swap N’ Shop Hamfest set for 8 a.m. to noon at the society grounds, 2335 Turkey Ridge Road. Cost: $5 per space. Reservations and details: John Italiano, 724-339-3821.

Vandergrift

Today: Vandergrift Fire Department No. 1 will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 278 Franklin Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. There will be 16 regular games, 4 specials and a 50/50 jackpot. Payout to be determined by the number of players. Details: vandergriftvfd@gmail.com or Vandergriftvfd1 on Facebook.

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