In brief: Writing family history, EMS subscriptions, glass recycling, food drive and more in Hampton

The North Hills Genealogists will present a free online presentation titled “The Importance of Family History Writing” at 6:45 p.m. on March 15.

The program will be co-hosted by Rich Watson and Sue Ennis, who will outline why and how to write about your ancestors. They will cover four different ways to write about family history along with writing tips, research suggestions, sample pieces and how to share what has been written.

The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

Watson is a retired railroad industry sales manager and avid genealogical researcher, Ennis is a retired English teacher and librarian who enjoys teaching genealogical research and writing.

To participate in the meeting, which will be conducted via Zoom, sign up online. A confirmation to attend the meeting will be sent by email.

For more information about the group, see: northhillsgenealogists.org.

Shaler Hampton EMS subscriptions

The Shaler Hampton Emergency Medical Services is conducting its annual subscription drive to fund its operations.

Residents will receive a solicitation for a donation in the mail during the next several weeks.

Subscriptions that run through March 2022 also can be purchased online.

Officials say more than 1,000 subscribers utilized the the emergency medical service in 2020.

More information about the service’s operations is available online.

Permanent glass recycling station

Following the success of several glass recycling events in Hampton during the past two years, the township has set up a permanent recycling station near the salt storage facility located in the municipal complex off McCully Road.

The recycling stations are open to residents of any community.

Glass jars, jugs and bottles of any color can be discarded after they have been rinsed clean. No bags or boxes are permitted in the dumpster and can not be left at the site.

Hampton High School hosting food drive

Students at Hampton High School are sponsoring a food drive called “Neighbors to Neighbors” to help families who are struggling.

Nonperishable food items can be dropped of at the high school between March 15 and 19.

People who need food can pick up items at a drive-up event at the high school from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 20.

Food will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis until all the items are gone. Any food that is not distributed will be donated to community food banks.

La Roche offers Instagram Live admissions event

An Instagram Live event hosted by La Roche University will offer on-the-spot admissions decisions and an inside look at campus March 11.

The live event will be at 5 p.m. and will feature a counselor-guided tour of a private residence hall room and other La Roche facilities, including the Palumbo Science Center, Kerr Fitness & Sports Center and Zappala Campus Center. Users also will hear from current students and have the opportunity to ask questions.

Students are encouraged to submit an application prior to the event with related documents.

Follow @larocheuniv on Instagram to join the live event.

For more information, email admissions@laroche.edu or call 412-536-1272.

Girl Scout cookies available

Still haven’t satisfied your fix for Girl Scout cookies?

Scouts will be selling boxes of Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs and the other varieties at The Block Northway along McKnight Road starting Feb. 27.

Cookies will be sold Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 21.

The Scout will be set up between the Land’s End and DSW shoe stores.

Proceeds benefit local Scouting troops.

Personal care items needed

North Hills Community Outreach is hosting a collection drive until April 19 to collect personal care items for needy people.

The most needed items include disposable razors and shave cream; shampoo, conditioner, body wash, unscented hand soap and lotion; toothpaste, brushes and floss; deodorant; wash cloths; and lip balm.

Donations can be dropped off weekdays from 9 am. to 4 p.m. at the charity’s three locations and from 9 a.m. to noon at the Allison Park location on the first Saturday of the month.

NHCO’s main office is located at 1975 Ferguson Road in Allison Park. There also are offices in the Millvale Community Center at 416 Lincoln Ave., second floor in Millvale; and at Greenstone Methodist Church, 939 California Ave. in Pittsburgh.

Summer camp signups

Registration is open for Camp Cranberry, which runs June 7 to Aug. 20 for children ages 5 to 15 from any community.

The camp focuses on developing physical, social and decision-making skills; promoting self-confidence; and having fun.

Camps are split into four age groups: Mini Movers, Little Achievers, Youth Camp and Future Leaders.

There will be weekly themes for younger campers, such as outer space, dinosaurs, animals, science and storybook classics.

Older campers will learn about their natural surroundings, how to express themselves creatively and inventing games and activities.

Some of the camp activities will be held at the township’s water park.

Full-day camp runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There also are half-day camps for younger children. Lunch and extended care also will be available.

Cranberry also is offering swimming lessons for all age groups.

There are group lessons, Saturday classes, sessions for preschool kids and parent and child aquatics. Private lessons also are available.

Summer jobs

Hampton is accepting applications for seasonal help for various positions including outdoor lifeguards, concession and maintenance staff, summer play camp counselors, youth tennis instructor and community center service desk staff.

Applications for any of the positions can be picked up at the Community Center service desk or downloaded from the township’s website.

More information about the requirements of the positions is available in an online copy of the township’s newsletter.

Pool memberships

Memberships to use Hampton’s community swimming pool are now available.

Membership applications for the pool and other facilities including the community and fitness center are available on the township’s website.

Block Party To Go charity fundraiser

Participants in North Hills Community Outreach’s annual block party fundraiser won’t be able to gather in person this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But the North Hills charity and social service agency is still planning to party.

Have fun at home with a “Block Party To Go” party bag. The adult bags include a do-it-yourself pizza kit, wine, dessert, a game and more. The children’s bag includes a craft kit from Dots and Doodles, snacks and other items.

Some of the bags will include a “bonus” gift card to a local restaurant or business. The first 300 party-to-go kits will include a link to play BuzzWorthy Pub Trivia.

More information and an order form for party bags are available online at NHCO/Block-Party.

Free tax prep

A free tax preparation service is being offered by the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania through April 10.

The service is available virtually or through a combination of online and in-person meetings.

Clients can upload their materials, and tax experts will prepare and review the return. The hybrid tax preparation will require two brief appointments in a safe environment, following covid-19 guidelines, to provide information and review the return.

The service is available to residents in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Assistance from a volunteer tax preparer is available for people and families with a total annual income of up to $57,000.

A free, do-it-yourself online tax assistance program is available at myfreetaxes.com.