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.
Metal bands to raise money for Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue
Preserving Concerts will host a metal concert at 6 p.m. April 13 to benefit Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue at Preserving Underground, 1101 Fifth Ave., New Kensington.
Doors will open at 5 pm. Bands scheduled to play include Strychniners, MGF, Desolence and Apotrofe. Admission is $15 and all funds collected will be donated. For tickets, visit preserving.ticketspice.com/frankies-friend-benefit.
Plum military banner program accepting orders
Plum will honor those who served in the military or currently serve with a military banner program.
The vinyl banners measure 2-feet x 3-feet and are single-sided. They will be displayed along Mike Thomas Way from Memorial Day to Veterans Day for two years, after which they will be retired and remain property of the borough.
Banners cost $145 plus tax. Order deadline is April 30. To place an order, visit signsbychi.com/boro-banners.
Calendar
Apollo
Today: 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.
Thursday: Apollo Area Historical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. New members welcome.
Apollo/East Vandergrift
May 14: St. James and Our Lady, Queen of Peace parishes will sponsor a bus trip to Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. The bus will leave at 9 a.m. from the St. James parking lot, 109 Owens View Drive. The group will be at the casino for five hours. Must be 21. Cost: $30, includes $20 in free play. State-issued photo ID required to receive free play. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-478-4958.
Arnold
Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its pierogi sale. Varieties: potato or sauerkraut, $14 per dozen; cottage cheese, $16. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Friday in the church social hall. Orders:724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Brackenridge
Today: 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.
Thursday: Bingo will be at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Details:724-994-6030.
Buffalo Township
Today: 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.
April 13: A Sarris candy sale to benefit Buffalo Elementary PTA is being conducted online at sarriscandiesfundraising.com. Candy is available for Easter. Use group number 10-1588.
East Vandergrift
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: A rummage sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 1 p.m. Sunday in the basement of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 420 McKinley Ave. There will be new items and monthly specials. Details:724-478-4958.
Freeport
Today: The Blessing Closet 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.
Gilpin
Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.
Harrison
Today: 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. No bedding or electronics please.
Today: 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.
Featured Local Businesses
Today: 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.
Friday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley hosts Toddle Time for children 12 months to 3 years old and their caregiver at 10 a.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Bring a small stuffed animal. No reservations required.
Friday: Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 6 p.m., and there will be specials, a 50-50 raffle and final game jackpot.
April 10: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host a talk with author Yvonne Valasek Jungle at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Born and raised in Brackenridge, Jungle will discuss her book about her mother, Caroline Valasek, “Karolina: A Story of Faith, Survival and Love.” Reservations required. Reservations: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.
Jefferson Township
Thursday: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit post and auxiliary projects.
Kiski Township
May 3: Boy Scout Troop 589 is accepting applications for a yard sale planned at Spring Church Sportsman’s Club, 1956 Route 56. Individuals, families and vendors welcome. Cost: yard sale spaces, indoors, $15, outside; $10; vendors and crafters, $25. Spaces are 8-feet wide. Bring your own table and chairs. Reservations: checks made payable to Troop 589 should be sent to Carrie Shank, Troop 589, 1134 Old State Road, Apollo PA 15613. Questions: Tracy Boop, 724-420-6758, or Carrie Shank, 724-448-9639 or cjshank@comcast.net.
Leechburg
Thursday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 10 a.m. to noon at the museum, 118 First St. The group will now meet on the first and third Thursday of each month. Basic computer skills required. Details: Judy, wrighton154@yahoo.com.
Saturday: The Leechburg Museum is closed for the season. Visits are available by appointment. Details: 724-845-8914 and leave a message or email lamahs@windstream.net.
Lower Burrell
Today: A free DivorceCare support group will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. through April 9 at Redemption Church, 3400 Garvers Ferry Road. No reservations required. Details:724-766-6405.
Lower Burrell/New Kensington
April 26: Peoples Library is selling tickets for a lottery ticket raffle. The winner will receive $400 worth of Pennsylvania Lottery instant tickets. The drawing will be at the April 26 library luncheon at Knead Community Café. Cost: $5 each or three for $10. Winner need not be present. Tickets: stop in at either library location.
New Kensington
Today: 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.
Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Sales are from 6 to 6:50 p.m. Cost: $25 for a 12-on package; specials will be available. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details:724-448-7403.
Thursday: Knead Community Café will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the cafe, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals are sponsored by Dennis Cadwell. Details: 878-847-7997 or kneadcommunitycafe.org.
Thursday and Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes, linens, purses and handbags. Donations welcome during business hours only. Do not leave donations at the door.
April 19 to Oct. 25: The Downtown New Kensington Farmers Market is accepting vendor applications for this year’s market season that will run from mid-April through mid October on Fifth Avenue. Local vendors who sell fresh local produce, meat, poultry, dairy products, juice, cheese, bread and baked goods welcome. Details: Meredith, 412-719-8845 or downtownnkmarkets@gmail.com.
May 10: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is accepting basket donations and supplies to make baskets for its annual spring luncheon planned at Knead Community Café. Details:jperin@animalprotectors.net.
Featured Local Businesses
Parks Township
Friday: Parks Township Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. in the firehall, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Saxonburg
Today: Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company will sell takeout fish and chicken dinners from 4 to 6 p.m. or until sold out at the firehall ballroom, 210 Horne Ave. Menu: fish or chicken, oysters, baked potato or fries, green beans, coleslaw, roll and cake, $15; extra piece of fish, $6; extra coleslaw, $1. Orders:724-352-9948 after 2 p.m. today.
Tarentum
Today: Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will offer a free farmers market from noon to 5 p.m. while supplies last. There are no income guidelines and everyone is welcome. The event is the first Wednesday of each month.
Today: 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.
Thursday: Tarentum Recreation Board will host a free bingo for senior citizens at 1 p.m. at Highland Senior Center located in Daltons Edge, 704 E. Second Ave. Lunch will be served afterward. Reservations required. Reservations: Carrie, 724-448-1470, or email shevawn.timko@namsc.com.
Fridays: Free bread and baked goods will be distributed at 10 a.m. while supplies last at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., suite 12. Details: 724-224-9006.
April 8, 9 and 10: SS. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, 339 E. 10th Ave., is taking orders for its annual Easter nut roll sale. Nut, apricot and poppy seed rolls will be available. Cost per roll: $15. Orders: 724-224-3026 and leave a message, visit tarentumbyzcath.org or email tarentumbyzcath@gmail.com.
Washington Township
Today: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.
Friday: Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 4078 Route 66. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The kitchen will open and card sales start at 6 p.m. Free coffee. Players must be at least 18 or accompanied by an adult.
Winfield
Thursday: The Matrona Family Resource Center at Cabot Church, 707 Winfield Road, will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. New and gently used clothing in sizes preemie through 10/12 will be available, as well as strollers, car seats, toys and more. No reservations required. Details:724-524-1809 or tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.