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.
Gift card donations help victims of domestic violence
The Alle-Kiski Area Hope Center is requesting donations of gift cards from various vendors.
Cards for Sheetz or Giant Eagle help clients who may need gasoline to get to work or doctor’s appointments. Other cards from coffee shops, restaurants and online companies are used by the HOPE Center for raffles and help HOPE personnel advocates attract attention to their information table at events.
Cards can be mailed to the center at P.O. Box 67, Tarentum PA 15084 or taken to the administration building, 500 E. Eighth Ave., Tarentum, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. For questions, call 724-224-1100.
Bingo fundraiser to include musical preview
The St. Joseph High School drama department will sponsor a bingo fundraiser to benefit the high school’s musical production April 11 at Patterson Hall of Guardian Angels Parish, Harrison.
Doors open at 5 p.m. and bingo will begin at 6. Admission is $5 and includes a light meal and a sneak peek from this year’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” There will be 18 games with cards priced from $1 to $5 each and a basket raffle. Snacks, drinks, 50-50s, strip tickets and paint sticks will be sold.
For tickets, call 724-980-4751 or email tjmandjess6@comcast.net.
Calendar
Allegheny Township
April 18: The Alle-Kiski and City of Pittsburgh chapters of the American Wine Society will host guest speaker Cristi Armand Mastacaneanu of Amavi Vinum, at 6 p.m. at River Forest Country Club, 130 Club House Drive. Vinum will discuss, “Wines of Romania,” and seven wines will be served and paired with foods. Guests welcome. Cost: $50. Paid reservations required by 5 p.m. April 8. Details: allekiski@yahoo.com.
Apollo
Today: 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.
Thursday: Apollo Area Historical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. New members welcome.
Brackenridge
Today: 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.
Thursday: Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center will hand out 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.
Freeport
Today: 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.
Thursdays: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will have bingo at 7 p.m. in the post back hall, 102 Fifth St. Bring bingo chips. Kitchen open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Public welcome.
Gilpin
Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.
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
Today: 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.
Today: 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.
Today: 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.
Thursday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer an open play session for children and their caregiver from 1 to 2 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Details: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.
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.
Friday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer Toddle Time for children 3 and younger and an adult at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. No reservations required. Details:alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.
April 7: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will sponsor a PopTart taste test for children in fifth through 12th grade at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Reservations required. Reservations: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.
April 11: A spring fling bingo to benefit veterans in need will begin at 5 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Drive. Doors open at 4 p.m. Non-smoking venue. Cost: in advance, $40; at the door, $45; includes food and refreshments. Tickets: Lorraine, 412-537-5954 or at the post, 724-904-7649.
Jefferson Township
Thursday: 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.
Thursdays: Good Samaritan Hospice, a mission of Concordia Lutheran Ministries, will offer a free weekly virtual grief support group at 7 a.m. The group provides a safe, welcoming space for adults who have lost a loved one. New participants are welcome to join each week. Reservations required. Reservations and more information: John Porter at 724-898-0126, ext. 4426.
Leechburg
Thursday: Maundy Thursday services will be at noon at Hebron Lutheran Church, 201 Main St., and at 7 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 358 Main St. A Good Friday service will be at 7 p.m. at First Lutheran Church.
Thursday: First United Methodist Church, 261 Main St., will have a Maundy Thursday service at 7:30 p.m. at the church.
Thursday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 10 a.m. to noon at the museum, 118 First St. The group meets on the first and third Thursday of each month. Bring a laptop or tablet. Basic computer skills required. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.
Lower Burrell
Thursday: Peoples Library will host a virtual talk about the history of the United States women astronauts with emerita curator of the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum Valerie Neal. Recordings will be available to watch on demand. To register and ask questions, visit libraryc.org/peopleslibrary. Details:724-339-1021.
Through April 30: The works of Allegheny Valley League of Artists member Peter Cehily will be on display during regular hours at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. The exhibit will celebrate the color green and include paintings, mixed media and photography.
Murrysville
Thursday through Sunday: Christ Lutheran Church, 5300 Old Logans Ferry Road, will have a Maundy Thursday worship service at 7 p.m. and a Good Friday service at 7 p.m. Easter services will be at 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. Details:412-795-1212.
New Kensington
Today: A veterans service officer will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of state Rep. Jill Cooper, 356 Freeport St., suite 100. 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:724-472-4102.
Thursday: Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St., will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the cafe. This week’s meals are sponsored by friends from Longvue. Details: 878-847-7997 or kneadcommunitycafe.org.
Thursday: 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.
Thursday and Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes, linens, purses and handbags. Donations welcome during business hours only. Do not leave donations at the door.
Oklahoma Borough
April 18: A drag queen bingo to benefit TinyCause dog rescue will be at Oklahoma School House Hall, 171 Thorn St. Doors open at 5 p.m. and bingo will start at 7 p.m. Cost: $35 in advance; $40 at the door; include eight games that pay $100 each and a buffet dinner. BYOB There will be specials, a basket raffle, strip tickets and a 50-50. Must be 21. Tickets:tinyurl.com/3bduakjx.
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.
Tarentum
Today: Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will offer free fresh food and hygiene kits at noon and 4 p.m. while supplies last. There are no income guidelines and everyone is welcome.
Today: The Elks will host bingo at 6:30 p.m. at the lodge, 219 E. Sixth Ave. The kitchen is open to the public from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Menu: elks644.org/attaboys-kitchen. Orders:724-226-1644 by 8:15 p.m.
Washington Township
Today: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.
Friday: Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 4078 Route 66. Doors open at 5 p.m. and early birds will start at 6:30 p.m. The kitchen will open. There will be three early bird games, 19 regular games that pay $100 each, specials, three progressive games, two jackpot games, and free coffee, snacks coffee and treats. Players must be at least 18 or accompanied by an adult.
West Deer
Thursday: There will be bingo from 7 to 9 p.m. at the American Legion, 57 Superior Road. There will be 10 games. Cost: $1 per card for regular games; specials, $2; and $5 for cover-all. Public welcome.
Winfield
Thursday: 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.
Worthington
April 8: Worthington-West Franklin Community Library will offer a free seminar, “Protect Yourself From Scams,” at 1 p.m. at the library, 214 E. Main St., building B. There will be a question-and-answer session and tea, coffee and dessert will be served. Reservations required. Reservations:724-297-3762 or armstronglibraries.org/worthington.