Franklin Regional band fundraiser
The Franklin Regional Marching Band is hosting a “A Royal Pancake Feast” to raise money for its March 2026 trip to Walt Disney World in Florida.
It will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 3 at First Presbyterian Church, 3202 North Hills Road in Murrysville. The event will include photos with Disney-themed characters, raffle baskets, crafts, giveaways and more. Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite Disney character.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and $5 for children. Children 2 and under are free. They are available at FRHSmarchingband.ludus.com.
Reorganization council meetings
Local government councils will hold their annual reorganization meetings on Jan. 5.
Meetings will take place at 7 p.m. for Murrysville council (4100 Sardis Road) and Delmont council (77 Greensburg St.). Export council (5821 Washington Ave.) will meet at 6:00 p.m. Winners from the November election will be sworn in, and new council officers will be elected.
Library closures
The Delmont and Murrysville libraries will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 in observance of Christmas Day. The libraries will reopen Dec. 27. Both also will be closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and will reopen Jan. 3.
Comedy fundraiser
The Sardis Volunteer Fire Company will host a Jan. 31 comedy night fundraiser at their social hall, 5205 Rocky Hill Lane in Murrysville.
The evening will include headliner Larry XL and feature Trey McDonough, and will also include a 50/50 raffle, games of chance, a gift basket auction and food truck.
The $25 admission includes beer and the event is BYOB. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the show is at 7 p.m.
For tickets, call 724-327-3987 or see SlapSticksProductions.com.
Presentation on therapy dogs
The Mother of Sorrows’ “Boomers & Beyond” speaker series will host a presentation on therapy dogs at its Jan. 13 session.
Jan and Frank Mallak are Alliance of Therapy Dog Handlers and have been dog owners for more than 50 years. They will also introduce LiLi, a certified therapy dog and American Kennel Club-certified trick dog.
The session will be at noon at the church’s social hall, 4202 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville.
There is no cost to attend. Attendees may bring a bag lunch and a friend.
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.
Residents can apply at www.compass.state.pa.us or by calling 866-857-7095.
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.
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.
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.
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.