Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number.Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller.
Designer purse bash scheduled Saturday
Fun and Freedom Inc. will host its 12th annual designer purse bash fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Springdale Veterans Association Hall, 1151 Pittsburgh St., Springdale.
Cost is $50 and includes entry into 13 main ticket drawings, dinner, dessert, use of the photo booth and entry into the door prize drawings. There will be side raffles, a silent auction, mystery wristlets and a 50-50.
For tickets, call 724-274-7773 or visit fun-and-freedom-inc.square.site.
Free open door luncheon set in New Kensington
Allegheny Valley Church of God, 216 Catalpa St., New Kensington, will serve free lunches at noon Wednesday.
Ham, potato soup and cookies will be served for as long as the food lasts. Dine in or takeout available. For details, call 724-335-0994.
Calendar
Allegheny Township
Tuesday: The Foes to Friends Football Breakfast Club will meet at 9 a.m. at Valley Dairy Restaurant, 315 Hyde Park Road. Former players and sports writers from the 1970s are welcome. The group meets the third Tuesday of each month. Details:724-980-2197.
Thursday : The Alle-Kiski Chapter of the American Wine Society will meet at 7 p.m. at River Forest Country Club, 130 Club House Drive. Society member Matt Kristofik will discuss “Wine Finds That Won’t Break Your Wallet.” Wines will be served paired with food. Cost: $47. Paid reservations required by 5 p.m. Sunday. Guests welcome. Visit Alle Kiski AWS on Facebook. Information:allekiski@yahoo.com.
Apollo
Wednesday: Apollo Hose Company No. 2 will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be specials and wish jars. Details:724-478-4831.
March 14: St. James Parish, 109 Owens View Ave., is accepting space reservations from flea market, yard sale and craft vendors for a flea market planned from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second Saturday of each month in the parish activities center. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776.
Apollo/East Vandergrift
March 11: St. James and Our Lady, Queen of Peace parishes will sponsor a bus trip to Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh. The bus will leave at 9 a.m. from the St. James Church parking lot and stay at the casino for five hours. Cost: $30, includes $20 free play. State-issued photo ID required to receive free play. Reservations:724-478-4958.
Arnold
Tuesday: The Tomb, 1821 Fifth Ave., will serve a free dinner from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its weekly pierogi sale. Varieties: cottage cheese, $16 per dozen; potato or sauerkraut, $14 per dozen. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays in the church social hall. This is the last sale of the year. Orders:724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Brackenridge
Wednesday: Al-Anon will meet at 8 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10th Ave. The group offers help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics.
Cheswick
Wednesday and Thursday: A veterans service officer will be available by appointment at the office of Rep. Mandy Steele, 1296 Pittsburgh St. Services available include state benefits, burial and survivor benefits, enrollment in the VA health care system and more. Reservations:724-826-5151.
East Franklin
Today: Armstrong County Republican Committee will meet at 7 p.m. in the Belmont Complex banquet room, 415 Butler Road. Details: Darlene Smail, 724-902-2244 or dsmail2244@windstream.net or Anthony Shea, ashea247@comcast.net.
Freeport
Tuesday: Freeport Area Library will offer a free workshop about the services available from Pennsylvania CareerLink from noon to 1 p.m. at the library, 428 Market St. Reservations required. Reservations:pacareerlink.pa.gov.
Wednesdays: The Blessing Closet at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All items are free, but donations will be accepted. Items available include clothing of all sizes, bedding and window items. Donations of clothing, shoes and boots welcome; must be laundered and free from smoke and pet hair. Wheelchair accessible. Details: 724-295-3095.
Saturday : A stuffed pork chop dinner will be from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 102 Fifth St. Dine in or takeout. Menu: stuffed pork chop, parsley potatoes and green beans, $15. Coffee, tea and orange drink included with dine-in dinners. Tickets:724-295-2280.
Gilpin
March 18, 19 and 25: Christ the King Parish is accepting orders for nut, apricot and poppy seed rolls and paska bread for Easter. Long rolls are $15 each with an order deadline of March 9. Pickup: noon to 4 p.m. March 18 and 19. Paska bread, round or braided, is available with raisins, $8; or without raisins, $7.50, with an order deadline of March 16. Pickup: noon to 4 p.m. March 25. Orders:724-309-1976 or 412-549-1583.
Hampton
Today: The Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Roundtable will host a free program, “Battlefield Angels of Mercy” by James Rada at 7 p.m. at the Hampton Community Center, 3200 Lochner Way. Public welcome.
Harmar
April 26: Table reservations are being accepted for an indoor spring craft show planned at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center, 1877 Shiners Way. No electronic payments will be accepted. Sponsored by Daughters of the Nile. Reservations: Peggy Addleman, 724-709-9916 or peggyaddleman@gmail.com.
Harrison
Tuesday: The Who Knew? program at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will present “Our Founding Fathers: from George Washington to Henry Brackenridge” at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or visit the calendar tab at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.
Tuesday: A senior outreach program about energy assistance and transportation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd. No reservations required.
Tuesdays: A story time for children age 3 to 5 will be at 10 a.m. at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd. No registration required.
Tuesday: The Accordion Club will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. at 6003 Freeport Road. Performance dates for 2026 are now being accepted. Details:724-236-0665.
Wednesday: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean clothing in all sizes is needed. No housewares or bedding please. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.
Wednesday: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Food bank participants can receive food allotments twice per month. Those who are not yet registered should come from 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The Sparrow’s Nest clothing and home goods ministry will be open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Details and alternate times: 724-226-0606, ext. 10.
Wednesday: The Becky’s Closet community clothing store at Faith Lutheran Church, 1500 Broadview Blvd., will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Cost: adult tops and bottoms, 50 cents; children’s clothing, 25 cents. Please bring small bills and your own bags. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.
Saturday : Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer two free workshops about winter seed sowing at 9 and 10 a.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Choose either session. Children 6 and older welcome with an adult. Supplies provided. Reservations required. Reservations:724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.
Feb. 23: The Sip & Stitch group at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet from 4 to 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Enjoy provided refreshments and conversation while you work on your needlecraft projects. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.
Feb. 25: The Kitchen Sink Book Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The selection will be, “Expect Great Things: How the Katharine Gibbs School Revolutionized the American Workplace for Women” by Vanda Kreft. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.
Kiski Township
Today : An American Red Cross community blood drive will be from 11 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. at Boiling Springs Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 1668 Route 56 Appointments:800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and search with code APOLLOFM.
Leechburg
Sundays through March 15: Leechburg Youth Baseball Association will accept player registrations from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its clinics in the Leechburg Area High School gymnasium, Center Avenue. New players must bring a copy of their birth certificate and insurance card. Details and online registration: leechburgyouthbaseball.com.
Today: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open.
Saturday: Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church will have its free monthly Pot Love Dinner at noon at the church, 271 Main St. Reservations required by Wednesday. Everyone is welcome. Reservations: 724-845-1901 or church@crcpc.org.
Lower Burrell
Today: Overeaters Anonymous will offer a Zoom meeting at 7:30 p.m. Details:info@gpioa.org.
Tuesday: Redemption Church will host a free GriefShare program about grief and your household and your friendships from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the church, 3400 Garvers Ferry Road. Anyone who is mourning the loss of a loved one is welcome. Meetings will continue Tuesdays through March 17. Details: Brenda Heinz, 412-398-1622.
Through Feb. 28: The works of local mixed media artist Lynn Jacques, a member of the Allegheny Valley League of Artists, will be on display during business hours at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave.
Manor Township
March 7: AIA Miners 13U baseball team will sponsor a ShamRockin’ Bingo at the Manor Township Volunteer Firehall, 167 Bryon St. Doors open at 4 p.m. and dinner will begin at 4:30 p.m. Early bird bingo will start at 5:30 p.m. and regular bingo begins at 6 p.m. Specials will be DJ bingo games. Cost: $40 in advance; $45 at the door; includes dinner, 11 regular games, five music bingo games and the jackpot game. Must be 21. BYOB and snacks. Tickets: text Kristen, 724-448-1636 or Corrin, 724-448-6750.
New Kensington
Tuesday: The Parkinson’s Foundation of Western Pennsylvania sponsors a free support group for Parkinson’s Disease patients and their family members from 2 to 3 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Valley Points YMCA, 800 Constitution Blvd. Details: Chrissy and Josh Lookabaugh, 724-594-3245.
Feb. 20: Animal Protectors will sponsor its No Father’s Day neuter clinic for male cats at the shelter, 730 Church St. Cost: neutering and a rabies vaccine, $40; FVRCP, $10; FIV/FELV testing, $25; and $30 for microchipping. No feral cats will be accepted. Drop-off is from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Payment is required at drop-off. Reservations required. Reservations:tinyurl.com/a72rvnke.
Oakmont
Tuesdays: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. Private weigh-ins will be from 5:45 to 6:10 p.m. and the meeting will be afterward. The first meeting is free. Details:412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.
Parks Township
Feb. 28: A spaghetti dinner with a Yeti to benefit TinyCause animal shelter will be from noon to 6 p.m. at Pleasant View Brethren Church fellowship hall, 1156 Pleasant View Drive, Kepple Hill. Menu: spaghetti, meatball, salad, roll, dessert and drink, $12. There will be visits with a yeti, photo booth, basket raffle and 50-50. Reservations: tinyurl.com/5e6nkz2t.
Plum
Tuesdays: The Plum Food Pantry, 81 Sandune Drive, distributes free food from 4:30 to 6 p.m. the first three Tuesdays of each month. Recipients in need must stop in at the pantry to be confirmed/verified. Details:724-327-0367.
Feb. 21: The Strikes for Strays bowling fundraiser will be from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Nesbit’s Lanes, 3501 Leechburg Road. Cost: $25 per bowler, include three hours of bowling, shoe rental, pizza and pop; $15 for non-bowlers and includes pizza and pop; and $50 to sponsor a lane. Proceeds will benefit Stray Cat Sanctuary. Tickets:tinyurl.com/bp6p6trz.
Feb. 22: A Vitalant community blood drive will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the social hall of Our Lady of Joy Church, 2000 Oblock Drive. Appointments recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Donors must be at least 16. Appointments: 877-258-4825 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org.
Feb. 22: Allegheny County Parks Department will sponsor a free guided hike, “Impact of Invasives” with park rangers at 1 p.m. at Boyce Park. Meet at the Den Shelter parking lot. The hike will be about two miles long with moderate elevation changes. Bring water and wear closed-toe shoes. Reservations required. Reservations:tinyurl.com/4wpmbuam.
Sharpsburg
Feb. 21: Addiction Recovery Ministry and Awaken Pittsburgh will present a free seminar about mindfulness and trauma at 9 a.m. at the John Paul I Center, 201 Ninth St. Reservations required. Reservations: Rosemarie, 412-378-9290 or rhaasarm@gmail.com.
Springdale
Feb. 24: The Tuesday Night Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. The selection will be “James” by Percival Everett. Copies available at the library. New members welcome. Reservations required. Reservations:724-274-9729.
Wednesday: Springdale Free Public Library will offer a free crochet class for beginners at 6 p.m. Reservations required. Reservations:724-274-9729.
Tarentum
Today: Streetlight Ministries, 203 W. Seventh Ave., will have a weekly food pantry from noon to 2 p.m. for anyone in need. There is a sign-up sheet in the vestibule after 8:30 a.m. Mondays and people are admitted through the line in order of sign up. A variety of breads, sweet goods, canned items, produce and meats will be available. Walk-ins are welcome but will admitted after those who have registered.
Tuesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St.
Vandergrift
Mondays through March 19: Vandergrift Public Library sponsors a chess club for children in kindergarten through eighth grade from 6 to 7 p.m. at 163 Washington Ave. Students are paired with others their age and are guided by a chess master and volunteers. Chess boards are provided. A tournament will be at 9 a.m. Feb. 28. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/yv5ztzrp.
Washington Township
Tuesdays and Thursdays: The Blessing Closet at Union Presbyterian Church will be open by appointment from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at the church, 656 Route 380. Items available include paper products, cleaning supplies, feminine hygiene products and pet supplies. Appointments:724-337-3042.
Wednesday: A veterans service officer will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of state Rep. Jill Cooper, 105 Pfeffer Road, suite 5. Services available will include disability and pension claims, benefit questions, assisting spouses with survivor benefits issues and applications for veterans grants. Appointments will be accepted, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments:724-387-9113.
Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.
Worthington
Feb. 20, 21 and 22: Armstrong Community Theater will present its annual variety show, “Movie Mixtape,” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 and 21 and 2 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Civic Center, 214 E. Main St. Cost: $15. Tickets:armstrongcommunitytheater.square.site or at the door.