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Donations welcome for Easter meals, treats
Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank is accepting donations that will be used to create specially prepared treat bags with a gift card to be used for the purchase of an Easter meal for our neighbors in need.
Each basket costs $15. Checks made out to AVAC Food Bank can be sent to AVAC, 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights PA 15065. Donations will be acknowledged.
The Association of the Churches would like to thank those who donated to the Christmas basket campaign. Over 400 families received food baskets and 32 additional families were provided with a total of over 2,700 gifts through the emergency assistance fund.
Purse bash planned by Highlands Gridiron Boosters
Highlands Gridiron Boosters will sponsor a purse bash from 1 to 4 p.m. April 6 at the Brackenridge American Legion, 845 First Ave.
Over 20 designer bags and two premier purses will be given away and there will be a pick-of-the-table, basket raffle and 50-50.
Admission is $40 and includes light refreshments. For tickets, call Natalie Cale at 724-448-6588. Cash, checks and Venmo at NCaleRams will be accepted.
Fundraiser planned to aid local police officer
A fundraiser to benefit longtime public servant William “Willie” Weber is planned Saturday at the Parks Volunteer Firehall, 119 Dalmation Drive.
Weber was a police officer for over 40 years in Arnold, Parks Township, Van-dergrift and West Leechburg and has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Doors will open at 4 p.m. and a catered dinner by Box Alarm BBQ will be served at 5.
Tickets are $25. The 56 East Band and Lenny Collini FamilyPak will perform and there will be a silent auction and 50-50. BYOB. For tickets, contact Nadine Artman at 724-889-3490 or visit Big Web’s Warriors on Facebook. Proceeds will benefit Weber and his family.
Calendar
Avonmore
April 12: The Center for Active Adults, 458 Railroad Ave., is accepting reservations for an indoor/outdoor spring craft show set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center. Rain or shine. Cost: $10 per space. Details:724-697-4014.
Brackenridge
Today: The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center will distribute free grab-and-go lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the center parking lot, 917 Brackenridge Ave. Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.
Today: Bingo will be at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Details: 724-994-6030.
Buffalo Township
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.
Freeport
Saturday: Freeport Kiwanis Club will host a turkey and biscuit dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St. Dine in or takeout. Cost: $12; younger than 10, $6. Proceeds will support the club scholarship program.
Gilpin
Today: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.
Harrison
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.
Jefferson Township
Today: 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
Saturday: A Swiss steak dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. or until sold out at Boiling Springs Presbyterian Church, 1668 Route 56. Dine in or takeout. Menu: Swiss steak, parsley potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, bread, dessert and drink. Cost: $14; 6 and younger, free. Details:724-478-1523.
Featured Local Businesses
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
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: The Chess Club at Peoples Library for students age 8 to 18 will meet at 4 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details:724-339-1021.
Friday: Peoples Library will host “Construction Crew,” an hour of play with building supplies, at 1 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details:724-339-1021.
Saturday : A spaghetti dinner to benefit Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will be from noon to 5 p.m. at Bethel United Methodist Church, 150 Alder St. Dine in or takeout. Menu: spaghetti, meatballs, salad, roll and dessert. Cost: $12; age 6 to 10, $6; 5 and younger, free. Tickets:724-339-7338 or tinyurl.com/mrp5m7rn.
Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature Memory Lane band from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.
Lower Burrell/New Kensington
April 5: Peoples Library will kick off National Library Week with a workshop to make a collage with pop artist Michael Albert. Sessios will be at 10:30 a.m. at the Lower Burrell location and at 1:30 p.m. at the New Kensington library. Learn how to turn a cereal box or other printed cardboard package into a work of art. Details:724-339-1021.
New Kensington
Today: Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St., will offer a Knitting for Beginners class at noon at the library. Details:724-339-1021.
Today: 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 Robert and Catherine Cornell. Details: 878-847-7997 or kneadcommunitycafe.org.
Today: 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.
Saturday: A Stop The Violence event will be at 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 1140 Fourth Ave. there will be speakers and free food, clothing, diapers and hygiene products will be available.
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.
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
Saturday: South Butler Community Library will host a free exhibit of Lego and Ninjango projects by enthusiast Kevin Lesniak from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the library, 240 W. Main St. Areas will be available for the public to build. Refreshments will be sold. Details:724-352-4810.
April 5: Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company will host a designer purse gala from 2 to 5 p.m. at the firehall, 155 Pittsburgh St. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Cost: in advance, $55; at the door, $60, if available; includes appetizers, soft drink, dessert and four numbers for the drawing. Winner need not be present. There will be side raffles, a basket auction, pull tickets and specialty drinks. Must be at least 16 to attend and at least 21 for a drink bracelet. Tickets:724-352.3300, ext. 755 or winpurses.com.
Springdale
Through Saturday: Springdale Free Public Library will host a community seed exchange during business hours at the library, 331 School St. Sponsored by Pucketos Garden Club. Bring a packet of seeds and take one. Details:724-297-9729.
Featured Local Businesses
Today: The diaper pantry at St. Mark Lutheran Church will distribute free diapers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church, 600 Pittsburgh St. Advance registration required. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Distributions are the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Registration: 724-274-5313.
Today: Lower Valley Community Food Bank will distribute food from 1 to 3 p.m. from the rear entrance of the Springdale borough building, 325 School St. Do not arrive before 12:45 p.m. Anyone in need of food who lives in Springdale, Springdale Township, Cheswick, Harmar and the sections of Indiana Township and West Deer with a zip code of 15024 is welcome. New recipients can register Thursday. Updates: lowervalleyfoodbank.org.
Tarentum
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.
Saturday: 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.
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.
Vandergrift
Monday: Tiny Cause Animal Shelter in Vandergrift is collecting gently worn shoes through Monday. No roller skates, Heelys or ice skates, please. Pairs of shoes should be tied together with the laces or rubber bands and placed into a garbage bag. Do not bring shoes in boxes. Contributions can be dropped off at the shelter, 131 Columbia Ave. Details:trapaniam@gmail.com.
Washington Township
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.
West Deer
Friday : Allegheny County Park rangers will host a free guided hike, “Signs of Spring,” from 5 to 7 p.m. at Deer Lakes Park. The hike will be about two miles with moderate elevation changes. Bring water and wear close-toed shoes. Meet at the Anglers shelter parking lot. Reservations required. Reservations:tinyurl.com/5n7h8sj7.
Winfield
Today: 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.