Delmont ‘Holidaze’
Delmont will host a “Holidaze” celebration from 3-6 p.m. Dec. 14 at Faith Global Methodist Church, 305 Freeport St.
The afternoon will include food trucks, craft vendors, live music, children’s activities, basket raffles and a visit from Santa. There will also be a dozen new bikes and helmets given away, and all children in attendance will receive a new toy from Santa.
In addition, there will be a “quiet hour” from 2:30-3 p.m. for families with health impairments or sensory processing needs.
Heating assistance program enrollment
The federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, has opened enrollment for the season, offering one-time cash grants to qualifying applicants to help with home heating bills or emergency repairs.
Households can apply through April 10 or until the funds are depleted.
This season’s grants range from $200 to $1,000. The income eligibility limit for the 2025-26 program is 150% of the federal income guidelines. A family of four can earn an income up to $48,225 and qualify.
Residents can apply at www.compass.state.pa.us or by calling 866-857-7095.
Holiday-themed events
Here is a list of holiday-themed concerts and events taking place in December:
Dec. 13: East End Kids Annual Pancake Breakfast. East End Kids, a nonprofit professional teen song and dance ensemble, will hold a pancake breakfast at Mother of Sorrows School, 3264 Evergreen Drive, Monroeville. Three seating times are available: 8:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m., and noon. The breakfast includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, potatoes, hot chocolate, coffee, hot tea and lemonade. Each seating features a performance of “Sparkle Jolly Christmas,” a traveling craft station, a basket raffle, a 50-50 drawing and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, complete with a free cookie and photos. The cost is $15 for ages 11 and older, $10 for ages 2 to 10; children 2 and younger are free.
Dec. 13-14: Monticello Lights. Residents of Delmont’s Monticello Drive invite the public to drive through the neighborhood to see their holiday decorating competition and donate to vote for their favorites. All proceeds will go to the Delmont Police Department K-9 unit and WTAE’s Project Bundle-Up. The event will be from 6-9 p.m. both nights.
‘Longest Night’ service
Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church, 4600 Old William Penn Highway, Murrysville, will host its annual “Longest Night” service of healing and wholeness at 7 p.m. Dec. 15.
Held around the time of the winter solstice — often the darkest day of the year — the service offers a reflective space for those coping with grief, stress or emotional struggle during the holiday season.
For more, see NewlonsburgChurch.org or call 724-327-0061.
Free Christmas brunch at churches
Holy Family Parish is hosting free brunches for those who may be alone on Christmas Day.
The events will be held from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at one of two parish locations:
• St. Joseph Church Hall, 825 Second St., Verona
• Our Lady of Joy Church Hall, 2000 O’Block Road, Plum
Reservations are due by Dec. 23 by calling Noreen at 412-296-1709 or Dave at 412-932-5532.
Rewind Reuse Center workshops
The Rewind Reuse Center, 5853 Washington Ave., Export, will host several children’s activities in December, including:
• Dec. 12: Pop-in teen night, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Cost is $2, participants can create a holiday project. No registration required.
• The center will be closed from Dec. 22 to Jan. 3.
Upcoming public meetings
• Dec. 12: Franklin Township Municipal Sanitary Authority, 6 p.m. at the authority offices, 3001 Meadowbrook Road in Murrysville. An agenda is available in advance at FTMSA.org.
• Dec. 16: Murrysville council, 7 p.m. at the municipal building, 4100 Sardis Road. Meetings are broadcast live on Comcast local access Channel 21, and streamed at Murrysville.com, where an agenda is also available in advance.
Auditions planned for East End Kids
Auditions for East End Kids will take place at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at DeStella Dance Centre, 5800 Kennedy Ave., Export.
Students in grades 6-12 are welcome to try out for the teen song and dance ensemble.
Candidates should prepare 32 bars of a ballad and 32 bars of an up-tempo selection (Broadway-style preferred) and wear comfortable clothing and shoes for a short movement routine. They will need to bring accompaniment on their phones for their vocal auditions or be prepared to sing a cappella.
For details, visit cervi-eastendkids.org or email EastEndKids.Business@gmail.com.
Bell ringers wanted
The Salvation Army is seeking local volunteers to serve as bell ringers during its holiday fundraising drive.
Ringers are needed every Friday and Saturday through Dec. 20 at the Walmart on Hollywood Boulevard in Salem. One-hour shifts are available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
To volunteer, email sadelmont13@gmail.com.
Journalism scholarship
The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania is accepting applications for its 20th annual Bob Fryer Memorial Scholarship ($5,000) and the club’s annual $2,500 scholarship for aspiring journalists.
Applications are available at WesternPApressclub.org, by calling 412-281-7778 or emailing 412-600-0606.
Deadline for entries is Feb. 9. Winners will be awarded at the club’s annual Golden Quills Awards Dinner.
American Legion scholarships
The Pennsylvania American Legion is taking entries for its annual essay contest. Winners will receive scholarships of $3,500, $3,000 or $2,500.
The contest is open to students in grades 9-12. Students can be from public, private, parochial, cyber/charter or home-schooled.
Students must submit their essay by mail or hand delivery to their local American Legion post by Jan. 7, 2026. Complete rules and regulations are available at PA-legion.com/programs/student-and-youth/essay-program, by calling 412-389-2626 or by emailing wareagles79@hotmail.com.
The Legion also hosts an oratorical contest with scholarships of $7,500, $5,000 and $4,000. That contest also is open to those in grades 9-12. The deadline to enter is Nov. 30. More information is available at Legion.org/oratorical, by calling 724-681-4995 or emailing jgdrnjevich@aol.com.
AARP seeking tax-prep aides
The AARP Foundation is seeking volunteers to be trained for its tax aide program, the nation’s largest free volunteer-based tax preparation program.
Volunteers can be trained as tax return preparers or as client facilitators. Anyone interested in volunteering can call 724-374-3780.
For more, see AARPfoundation.org/taxaide.
Association of University People
The Association of University People invites potential new members to join them at an event.
The association invites singles aged 50 and older, who are four-year college graduates, to join them for activities and to meet new people. Activities include picnics, monthly dinners, a book group and meetups at local concerts and wineries.
For more, call 412-353-9088 or email AUPsingles@gmail.com.