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Toy drive to benefit NK Salvation Army
Dr. York’s 25th annual toy drive to benefit the New Kensington Salvation Army will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Forza Motorcars, 2555 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell.
This year’s drive is dedicated to the memory of its co-founder, the late Ed Medice. To donate online, visit tinyurl.com/4sh9pdat.
Calendar
Allegheny Township
Friday, Saturday and Dec. 8: Freeport Theatre Festival, 2498 White Cloud Road, will present “Jesus – The Hidden Years” at 7 p.m. Reservations encouraged, but not required. Donations will be accepted. Reservations:724-295-1934.
Apollo
Wednesday: Apollo Hose Co. 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.
Arnold
Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its pierogi sale. Varieties: potato or sauerkraut, $14 per dozen. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays in the church social hall. Cottage cheese pierogi will be sold Dec. 13. Cost: $16 per dozen. Orders:724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
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.
East Vandergrift
Friday : 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.
Buffalo Township
Wednesday: Sarver Momco, formerly known as MOPS, will meet from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Christ Community Fellowship, 160 Singleton Road. This is a non-denominational faith-based group for mothers of children in 12th grade and younger and those who are expecting. Reservations required. Reservations:Sarvermomco@gmail.com or SarverMomco on Facebook.
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
Tuesday: Pa. CareerLink Job Assistance will be available from noon to 2 p.m. at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Help will be available for resume building, mock interviews, job search and apprenticeship opportunities. No appointment required, just drop in.
Tuesday: The Accordion Club is seeking new players of all ages. Meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6003 Freeport Road. Details:724-236-0665.
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. 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: adult tops and bottoms, 50 cents; children’s clothing, 25 cents. Please bring small bills and your own bags. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.
Featured Local Businesses
Friday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley is accepting orders for a pasta sale through Friday online and at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Varieties include unique shapes such as animals, sports and more. Details:tinyurl.com/3acetrnu.
Dec. 31: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will host a New Years Eve celebration from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Music will be by the Cool Change Band. Public welcome. Cost: $25, includes two drinks and food. Cash bar. Tickets:724-904-7649.
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.
Tuesdays: A wellness class for those with Parkinson’s Disease is 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.
Wednesday: The Ken High Class of 1960 will meet for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St. The group meets the first Wednesday of the month. Spouses and guests welcome. Details: Robert Grden, 440-269-0345 or bgconcord@aol.com.
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: Thursday. 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 Friday. 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.
Plum
Tuesdays: The Plum Food Pantry, 81 Sandune Drive, distributes free food from 5 to 6:30 p.m. the first three Tuesdays of each month. Details:724-327-0367.
Springdale
Tuesdays: Springdale Free Public Library is accepting reservations for Story Times. Schedule: Read to Me, infants to 2 years old, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.; and Story Explorers, ages 3 to preschool, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Reservations required. Reservations:724-274-9729.
Tarentum
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.
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.
Upper Burrell
Jan. 1: Upper Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 and Export Volunteer Fire Department are selling 2025 lottery calendars. Cost: $20. Details:724-339-0965 or ubvfc115training@gmail.com.
Vandergrift
Tuesday: Vandergrift Public Library’s Light Up the Library event will be at 5:30 and 6 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Choose either time slot. There will be crafts to make cards and ornaments, cookie decorating, hot cocoa and an appearance from Santa. All ages welcome. Reservations required. Reservations:724-568-2212.
Washington Township
Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.