The Stroller, Dec. 10, 2024: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
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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.
Rotary offers annual scholarships to high school seniors
The Bob Williams Memorial Rotary Scholarship, sponsored by Rotary District 7305 Foundation, will award at least eight $5,000 scholarships to high school seniors for the 2024-25 academic year.
High school seniors and vocational and GED students in Allegheny and Beaver counties as well as those who attend Valley, Burrell and Kiski Area high schools are eligible to apply. Students must have a grade-point average of 2.5 or higher and complete an essay that highlights their community and school service.
Complete application materials are found on Rotary District 7305 website, rotarydistrict7305.org, under the scholarship link and from school guidance counselors. Applications must be postmarked by Feb. 28. For details, contact Robert Arbuckle at rarbuckle66@gmail.com.
Free meal distribution planned at Knead Community Cafe
Knead Community Café will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the cafe, 1011 Barnes St., New Kensington.
This week’s meals are sponsored by the 2nd Tuesday Book Club. To sponsor a meal, visit kneadcommunitycafe.org or call 878-847-7997.
Calendar
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.
Thursday: The Yarn Good Time Fiber Arts Group at Apollo Memorial Library will meet from 5 to 7 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. All ages and skill levels welcome. Details: 724-478-4214.
Arnold
Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its pierogi sale. Varieties: potato or sauerkraut, $14 per dozen. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays in the church social hall. Cottage cheese pierogi will be available Friday. Cost: $16 per dozen. 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.
Thursday: Bingo will be at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Details: 724-994-6030.
Freeport
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.
Gilpin
Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.
Harrison
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.
Dec. 31: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will host a New Years Eve celebration from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Music will be by the Cool Change Band. Public welcome. Cost: $25, includes two drinks and food. Cash bar. Tickets: 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.
Kiski Township
Today: The diaper pantry at Spring Church Lutheran Church, 3623 Lutheran Church Road, will distribute diapers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church. Recipients must register in advance. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Registration: 724-478-1528.
Leechburg
Thursday: First United Methodist Church will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 2 to 6:30 p.m. in fellowship hall, 251 Main St. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 877-258-4825 or visit Vitalant.org and search for code UG0110175 or Zip Code 15656.
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 will now meet on the second and third Thursdays of each month. Basic computer skills required. Details: Judy, wrighton154@yahoo.com.
New Kensington
Today: The Parkinson Foundation of Western Pennsylvania sponsors a Parkinson’s wellness class from 1:15 to 2 p.m. at Valley Points Family YMCA, 800 Constitution Blvd. The program is a mix of exercises designed to help someone manage their Parkinson’s Disease more effectively and includes aerobic and resistance training, stretching, balance, facial and voice exercises. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-335-9191 or tinyurl.com/5n8jp8y9.
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. Household items, dishes, appliances and books will no longer be accepted. Donations welcome during business hours only. Do not leave donations at the door.
Oakmont
Today: 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.
Today: The Plum Food Pantry, 81 Sandune Drive, distributes free food from 5 to 6:30 p.m. the first three Tuesdays of each month. Details: 724-327-0367.
Dec. 14: Cinebrunch movie event will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the municipal building, 2000 Mike Thomas Way. The featured film will be “The Grinch.” Cost: $3, includes a doughnut and drink. Space is limited and reservations are required. Reservations: link.plumboro.com/cinebrunch.
Saxonburg
Thursday: The dementia caregiver support group at South Butler Community Library will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library, 240 W. Main St. The group meets the second Thursday of each month and provides a safe place for caregivers to share their feelings and discuss their day-to-day challenges. No reservations required. Details: Michelle Govan, RN, 724-504-5512.
Springdale
Thursday: The diaper pantry at St. Mark Lutheran Church will distribute free diapers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church, 600 Pittsburgh St. Advance registration required. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Distributions are the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Registration: 724-274-5313.
Tarentum
Today: Central Presbyterian Church will host a traditional Bible study series, “Parables and the Reign of God,” at 11 a.m. at the church, 305 Allegheny St. The series continues the second Tuesday of each month through May. A different parable will be discussed each month and participants need not commit to attend the entire series. Visitors welcome. Details: 724-224-9220.
Wednesday: 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/elks-kitchen-1. Orders: 724-226-1644 by 8:15 p.m.
Wednesdays and Saturdays: The Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society, 224 E. Seventh Ave., is open from noon to 3 p.m. and other times by appointment. Details: 724-224-7666.
Upper Burrell
Jan. 1: Upper Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 and Export Volunteer Fire Department are selling 2025 lottery calendars. Cost: $20. Details: 724-339-0965 or ubvfc115training@gmail.com.
Washington Township
Wednesday: Poke Run Presbyterian Church will host its free monthly Soup for the Soul luncheon at noon at the church, 1091 Poke Run Church Road. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. The event is the second Wednesday of the month and runs through May. Details: 724-327-5563.
Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.
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 or tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.