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 program benefits victims of domestic violence

The Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center will have its annual Adopt A Family program this year.

Volunteers and organizations can adopt a family and donate Christmas gifts for them. Donors receive a gift list that includes clothing sizes and personal interests. Gifts should be wrapped and delivered to the center administration building, 500 E. Eighth Ave., Tarentum.

For more information, call the center at 724-224-1100, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

Children’s pajama party fundraiser planned Thursday

The Freeport Area High School Swim Team will sponsor a parents night out Polar Express pajama party from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 409 Sarver Road, Buffalo Township

Children age 3 to 10 who are potty trained are welcome. Children should wear pajamas and bring a blanket to sit on. Pizza and popcorn will be served as the children watch “The Polar Express.” Cost is $25 for the first child and $15 for additional children from the same family.

Reservations are required by Monday. For reservations, mail a check made out to Freeport Swim to Michael Altman, 127 Julia Road, Sarver PA 16055 or on PayPal at freeportswim@gmail.com.

Calendar

Apollo

Dec. 18: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a lottery ticket raffle. The winner will receive a complete roll of $5, $10 and $20 Pennsylvania Lottery scratch-off tickets. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. Dec. 18 Daily Pick 3 number. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776, at the parish office or in the vestibule after weekend Masses.

Brackenridge

Dec. 12: Trinity United Methodist Church will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. in the church parlor, 847 10th Ave. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 877-258-4825 or visit Vitalant.org.

Buffalo Township 

Dec. 7: Buffalo Elementary School PTO is accepting vendor reservations for a holiday market. Reservations: tinyurl.com/532dp4kp.

East Vandergrift

Sunday: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish will have bingo at 6:30 p.m. in the church social hall, 411 McKinley Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be a 56-number jackpot game, a 40-number picture frame game and a magic number game. Details: 724-478-4958.

Dec. 6: Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish is selling tickets for a St. Nicholas Day lottery raffle. Winning numbers will be the first drawn Pennsylvania Daily Pick 3 numbers at 1:30 and 7 p.m. on St. Nicholas Day, Dec. 6. Winners will each receive $1,000 and a $100 gift certificate to Donghia Lumber Company in Vandergrift. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Tickets: Patricia, 724-568-3409 or Deborah, 724-859-3186, in the parish office or after Sunday Mass in the church vestibule.

Freeport

Sunday: A bingo night will be at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary Family Community Center, 407 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Cost: $21, includes 16 regular games. Extra packets will be available and there will be specials, food, strip tickets and a $750 must-go jackpot.

Monday: St. Mary, Mother of God Church will sponsor “Walking the Pathway to the Nativity” with Sami Backleh from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Family Community Center, 407 Freeport Road. Donations will be accepted. Public welcome.

Gilpin

Sunday: A Christmas craft show will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Gilpin Volunteer Firehall, Route 66. All items will be handcrafted. Details: 724-845-1200.

Harrison  

Sunday : Hilltop Hose Company will host a Breakfast with Santa and the Grinch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the fire station, 1501 Cambridge St. Cost: $10, includes breakfast and a photo. Details: fundraisers@hilltophose.org. Registration: tinyurl.com/muwjr375.

Dec. 6: Community Library of Allegheny Valley is accepting orders for a pasta sale through Dec. 6 online and at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Varieties include unique shapes such as animals, sports and more. Details: tinyurl.com/3acetrnu.

Leechburg   

Dec. 12: 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.

Dec. 14 and 15: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company is accepting table reservations for a craft and vendor fair set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the firehall. Cost: $30 for one day; $50 for both, includes a table and chair. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090 or allermelissa@comcast.net.

Dec. 21: Holy Innocents Anglican Church, 366 Third St., is accepting orders for its annual Christmas bake sale. Orders are being taken for assorted homemade cookie trays. Cost: large trays, $40; small trays, $30. Order deadline: Nov. 30. Orders: 724-882-2665, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

New Kensington

Wednesday: 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.

Dec. 10: The Myrrh Bearing Women of St. George Orthodox Church are accepting orders for a Christmas sweets sale. Pickup: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 10 at the church hall, 1150 Leishman Ave. Prices: baklawa, $14 per 10-piece section; and sambosic, $3 each. Quantities are limited. Order deadline: Dec. 5. Orders: 724-335-9988 or tinyurl.com/yn2etanz.

Dec. 12: New Kensington-Arnold School District will have its annual free Holiday Student Family Dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the jr.-sr. high school cafeteria, Stevenson Blvd. District students, parents, guardians and employees welcome. Reservations required by Dec. 6. Reservations: nkasd.com.

Oakmont

Saturday: Oakmont Volunteer Fire Department will conduct a boot drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the intersection of Hulton Road and Arb Street. Proceeds will fund training and essential equipment.

Saxonburg

Monday:Bingo will begin at 7 p.m. in the ballroom of Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company, 210 Horne Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. The kitchen will be open.

Springdale  

Through Saturday: Springdale Free Public Library is collecting non-perishable food during November for donation to Lower Valley Food Bank. Items will be donated Dec. 3 in honor of Giving Tuesday. Details: 724-274-9729.

Dec. 9: Springdale Free Public Library will offer, “Movie Effects” with Mad Science at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Children in second through sixth grade welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Today: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: 724-224-9220.

Sunday and Tuesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St. An opportunity for silent prayer will be at 6:30 p.m.

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.

Vandergrift

Dec. 8: The Casino Theatre will host an afternoon movie featuring the film, “The Polar Express,” at 1 p.m. at the theater. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Cost: $10; 16 and younger, $5, includes small popcorn and a drink. Additional refreshments will be sold. No outside food or drink permitted. Children 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Reserved seats: casinotheater.org.

West Deer

Sunday: Allegheny County Park rangers will host a free guided hike from 1 to 3 p.m. at Deer Lakes Park. Meet at the Anglers shelter parking lot. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/5n7h8sj7.

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