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Turkey Cup raises more than $13,000
Franklin Regional primary and intermediate school students taking part in the district’s annual Turkey Cup Challenge raised more than $13,000 for the Westmoreland Food Bank.
The class at each building which raised the most money earned a party and attended the check presentation shortly before Thanksgiving.
At the primary school, Deborah Mochan’s first grade class raised $534.99, and at the intermediate school, Renee Sisco’s third grade class raised more than $670.
Christmas tree recycling
The Murrysville-Export Rotary and Westmoreland Cleanways will host a Christmas tree recycling event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 3 and 10.
The collection will take place in the stone parking lot between Windstream (4792 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville) and Rooz Brews in the Market District parking lot.
All decorations must be removed along with tree skirts, tree bags and lights. The trees will be ground into about 5 pounds of mulch per tree.
For more, call 724-879-4020.
Plant-based Super Bowl snacks
The Plant-Based Pittsburgh group will host a Jan. 10 presentation, “Healthier Super Foods Workshop,” at Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church in Murrysville.
It will be at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Karen Webster, co-founder and executive director of Healthy Seminarians-Healthy Church.
Attendees will learn how to swap out less healthy ingredients for plant-based alternatives. Samples will be available.
No registration is required, and there is no fee to attend. The church is at 4600 Old William Penn Highway.
For more, see PlantBasedPittsburgh.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.
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.
Library closures
The Delmont and Murrysville libraries are 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.
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. 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.