Knights of Columbus donates winter coats
Holy Family Knights of Columbus Council 4242 donated 48 new winter coats for elementary students in the Plum and Riverview school districts.
The council bought the coats with money raised from fundraisers, the largest being its fish fries and spaghetti dinners, member Adam McLaughlin said.
Guidance counselors at the schools help distribute the coats to students.
“Coats for Kids” is one of the Knights of Columbus’ charitable programs intended to help the community.
The Catholic lay organization is open to men 18 and older who are practicing Catholics. Council 4242 has more than 240 members from Plum, Oakmont and Verona. It also supports The Light of Life Mission, the McGuire Home for Exceptional Children, Plum Food Pantry, Rosedale Food Pantry, Adopt a Highway, Special Olympics, Plum High Make A Wish, and clothing and personal supplies for veterans.
Plum JROTC collecting for Toys for Tots
The Plum High School Junior ROTC program is holding its 10th annual “Stuff-A-Bus” for Toys for Tots on Dec. 12.
Students, staff and other volunteers will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots from 6 to 8 p.m. at the high school bus lot.
Drop-off boxes are also at schools.
Plum School Board names new vice president
Mark Stropkaj has been named the new vice president of the Plum School Board for 2025.
Stropkaj, who was elected to the board in 2023, replaces Mark Adams.
Angela Anderson remains president of the board.
Board member Ronald Sakolsky voted against both appointments when the board reorganized on Dec. 3.
Traffic restricted on Barnes Road in Plum
Barnes Road was restricted to a single lane on Dec. 4 because the road is depressed a bit on the side, borough Manager David Soboslay said.
“This has been on our radar for awhile and we have a project set to go and already engineered,” he said.
Residents are advised to use other roads in the area.
The road will remain restricted until a full repair can be completed in 2025, the borough said.
Plum to host ‘Cinebrunch’ event
Plum will host its annual Cinebrunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at the municipal center, 2000 Mike Thomas Way.
The 2018 animated movie, “The Grinch,” will be shown.
The $3 admission per person includes a donut and drink.
Registration is limited to the first 100 people. To register, visit link.plumboro.com/cinebrunch.
Plum School District prepares for annual Make-A-Wish telethon
Plum School District’s 24th annual Make-A-Wish Telethon will be held on Dec. 20.
It has a $50,000 goal this year. Last year, the telethon raised nearly $51,000; over 23 years, it has raised more than $1.4 million.
The telethon is sponsored by the district’s television production classes led by Rick Berrott, who has been involved since the first telethon as a teacher and sponsor of the National Honor Society.
Santa visiting Plum neighborhoods
Santa will tour Plum neighborhoods with the help of borough firefighters on Dec. 21.
Logan’s Ferry will start at 10 a.m. and Holiday Park will start at noon, while Renton and Unity are both scheduled to start at 4 p.m.
Free Christmas dinner
Christ the Divine Church in Monroeville is offering a free meal for anyone in need of some food and companionship on Christmas Day.
The Dec. 25 dinner is in the Lourdes Center, 245 Azalea Dr., Monroeville, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. or until the food runs out.
American Legion scholarships open to students in grades 6-12
The Pennsylvania American Legion is taking entries for its annual essay contest. Winners will receive $3,500, $3,000 or $2,500 scholarships.
The contest is open to students in multiple categories: grades 6-12. Students can be from public, private, parochial, cyber/charter or homeschooled.
Students must submit their essay by mail or hand delivery to their local American Legion post by Jan. 8 for those in grades 9-12, and by Feb. 5 for those in grades 6-8. Complete rules and regulations are available at PA-legion.com/programs/student-and-youth/essay-program or by emailing wareagles79@hotmail.com.
The Legion also hosts an oratorical contest with scholarships offering $7,500, $5,000 and $4,000. That contest is open to those in grades 9-12. More information is available at legion.org/oratorical or by emailing jgdrnjevich@aol.com.
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Anti-litter award program offered for kids
Environmental nonprofit Keep America Beautiful is seeking entries from children in kindergarten through sixth grade for its Litter Hawk Youth Award Program.
Children are asked to complete a project sharing their hope, optimism and concerns about litter and inspire others through art, words or video.
The theme for the contest is “Join the Greatest American Cleanup! Show us how you can keep your community litter-free for America’s 250th birthday.”
Children in kindergarten through grade 4 can create a poster; those in grade 5 are asked to write an essay; and those in grade 6 can create a video.
The deadline to participate is Jan. 31. Winners will be announced in April as part of an awards ceremony at the state Capitol building in Harrisburg.
For an entry form, go to KeepPABeautiful.org/grants-awards/awards/litter-hawk, email slarson@keeppabeautiful.org or call 724-836-4121, ext. 104.
Rotary offering need-based scholarships
The Bob Williams Rotary Memorial Scholarship Program is accepting applications from current high school seniors and GED students for 2024-25.
This year, eight need-based scholarships at $5,000 each will be awarded.
The scholarships are open to students in Allegheny and Beaver counties, as well as those attending New Kensington- Arnold, Kiski Area and Burrell Area high schools and The Kiski School in Westmoreland County. Vocational students, GED students and those attending parochial, charter and private schools also are eligible.
Students must have a 2.5 or higher grade-point average and must complete an essay highlighting their community/school service.
Complete application and criteria materials are available on the website of Rotary District 7305 at rotarydistrict7305.org/scholarships.php or from area high school counselors.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 28. Applications postmarked after that date will not be accepted.
For details, email Dr. Robert Arbuckle, chairperson of the scholarship committee, at rarbuckl@yahoo.com.
Group offers support for weight loss
All are welcome to join the men and women at Oakmont TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) who are learning how to lose weight.
With in-person meetings, rewards, support and encouragement, we gain knowledge of healthy eating and exercise.
You may visit with no obligation Tuesdays at 5:45 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. in Oakmont. Weigh-in is private followed by a brief business meeting, sharing time, and educational program all ending by 7:15.
There is well-lit parking, wheelchair accessibility and security. For details, call 412-828-3854 or e-mail jmjkwj@gmail.com.