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.Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller.
Annual Christmas for Vets event planned Dec. 7
Five Forces will host its ninth annual Christmas for Veterans event at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Lower Burrell Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road.
Doors open at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served and there will be entertainment, drinks, raffles, merchandise and prizes. Attendees must show DD214 paperwork, current military ID or proper discharge paperwork. Tickets are free for veterans and current military. Guest tickets are $25 each, plus drinks. Those attending must be at least 18.
Reservations are required. For reservations and information, call Jodie at 412-216-9511 or Mandy at 724-882-9852 or email fiveforces14@yahoo.com.
Toys for Children campaign underway in West Deer
West Deer Police Department is sponsoring its 28th annual Toys for Children drive to benefit low-income families with children age infant to 12 who are enrolled in the Deer Lakes School District.
New toys can also be dropped off from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 4 at the police department and municipal building lobbies, 109 East Union Road.
Checks made out to West Deer Police Special Programs, can be sent to 109 East Union Road, Cheswick PA 15024. Money will be used to purchase additional toys, winter clothing and wrapping paper supplies. Any funds remaining will be used to purchase items for families to have a Christmas dinner.
For information, call 724-265-1100.
Help needed at Vandergrift Meals On Wheels
Vandergrift Meals On Wheels is looking for regular and substitute volunteers to help with driving and delivering to clients.
To offer your time and for more information, call 724-567-7893.
Calendar
Apollo
Wednesday: Apollo Hose Company No. 2 will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be specials and wish jars. Details:724-478-4831.
Brackenridge
Wednesday: Al-Anon will meet at 8 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10th Ave. The group offers help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics.
Buffalo Township
Dec. 7: Buffalo Elementary School PTO is accepting vendor reservations for a holiday market. Reservations: tinyurl.com/532dp4kp.
Cheswick
Wednesday: A department service officer from the American Legion will be available by appointment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of Pa. Rep. Mandy Steele, 1296 Pittsburgh St. Appointments:724-826-5151.
East Vandergrift
Dec. 6: Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish is selling tickets for a St. Nicholas Day lottery raffle. Winning numbers will be the first drawn Pennsylvania Daily Pick 3 numbers at 1:30 and 7 p.m. on St. Nicholas Day, Dec. 6. Winners will each receive $1,000 and a $100 gift certificate to Donghia Lumber Company in Vandergrift. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Tickets: Patricia, 724-568-3409 or Deborah, 724-859-3186, in the parish office or after Sunday Mass in the church vestibule.
Freeport
Wednesdays: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All items are free, but donations will be accepted. Items available include clothing of all sizes, bedding and window items. Donations of clothing, shoes and boots welcome; must be laundered and free from smoke and pet hair. Wheelchair accessible. Details:724-295-3095.
Harrison
Wednesday: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean clothing in all sizes is needed. No housewares or bedding please due to lack of space. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.
Wednesday: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Food bank participants can receive food allotments twice per month. Those who are not yet registered should come from 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The Sparrow’s Nest clothing and home goods ministry will be open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Details and alternate times: 724-226-0606, ext. 10.
Wednesday: The Becky’s Closet community clothing store at Faith Lutheran Church, 1500 Broadview Blvd., will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Cost: tops and bottoms for men and women, $50 cents; children’s clothing, 25 cents. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.
Dec. 1: Hilltop Hose Company will host a Breakfast with Santa and the Grinch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the fire station, 1501 Cambridge St. Cost: $10, includes breakfast and a photo. Details: fundraisers@hilltophose.org. Registration: tinyurl.com/muwjr375.
Kiski Township
Tuesday: The diaper pantry at Spring Church Lutheran Church, 3623 Lutheran Church Road, will distribute diapers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church. Distributions will be the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Recipients must register in advance. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Registration:724-478-1528.
Leechburg
Dec. 14 and 15: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company is accepting table reservations for a craft and vendor fair set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the firehall. Cost: $30 for one day; $50 for both, includes a table and chair. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090 or allermelissa@comcast.net.
Dec. 21: 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: Nov. 30. Orders: 724-882-2665, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.
Lower Burrell
Tuesday: Peoples Library will have a family story time at 1 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details:724-339-1021.
Wednesday: Peoples Library will offer Puzzles for Grownups at 1 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter St. Details:724-339-1021.
New Kensington
Tuesdays: A wellness class for those with Parkinson’s Disease will be offered from 1:15 to 2 p.m. at Valley Points Family YMCA, 800 Constitution Blvd. Sponsored by the Parkinson’s Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, the program is a mix of exercises designed to help manage Parkinson’s Disease and includes aerobic and resistance training, stretching, balance, facial and voice exercises. Reservations required. Reservations:724-335-9191 or tinyurl.com/5n8jp8y9.
Tuesday: Peoples Library will have a family story time at 11 a.m. at the library, 880 Branes St. Details:724-339-1021.
Wednesday: Peoples Library will offer Puzzles for Grownups at 1 p.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Details:724-339-1021.
Dec. 10: The Myrrh Bearing Women of St. George Orthodox Church are accepting orders for a Christmas sweets sale. Pickup: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 10 at the church hall, 1150 Leishman Ave. Prices: baklawa, $14 per 10-piece section; and sambosic, $3 each. Quantities are limited. Order deadline: Dec. 5. Orders: 724-335-9988 or tinyurl.com/yn2etanz.
Dec. 12: New Kensington-Arnold School District will have its annual free Holiday Student Family Dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the jr.-sr. high school cafeteria, Stevenson Blvd. District students, parents, guardians and employees welcome. Reservations required by Dec. 6. Reservations:nkasd.com.
Oakmont
Tuesdays: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. Private weigh-ins will be from 5:45 to 6:10 p.m. and the meeting will be afterward. The first meeting is free. Details:412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.
Sharpsburg
Nov. 27: Addiction Recovery Ministry will host a trivia night at 8 p.m. at the John Paul I Center, 201 Ninth St. Pizza and soft drinks will be available and prizes will be awarded to the top three teams. Admission: $10. Teams and individuals welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: Rosemarie, 412-378-9290 or rhaasarm@gmail.com.
Springdale
Through Nov. 30: Springdale Free Public Library is collecting non-perishable food during November for donation to Lower Valley Food Bank. Items will be donated Dec. 3 in honor of Giving Tuesday. Details:724-274-9729.
Tarentum
Wednesday: The Elks will host bingo at 6:30 p.m. at the lodge, 219 E. Sixth Ave. The kitchen is open to the public from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Menu: elks644.org/elks-kitchen-1. Orders:724-226-1644 by 8:15 p.m.
Wednesdays and Saturdays: The Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum, 224 E. Seventh Ave., is open from noon to 3 p.m. and other times by appointment. Details:724-224-7666.
Washington Township
Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.
Nov. 28: The Kiski Valley Turkey Trot 5K Race and 1 Mile Fun Run to benefit Kiski Area Youth Network will be Thanksgiving, Nov. 28 at Kunkle Park, 985 Pine Run Church Road. Serious and casual runners and walkers of all ages welcome. Proceeds benefit Kiski Area Youth Network. Registration:kvturkeytrot.com.