The Stroller, Sept. 4, 2023: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

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.

Kiski Watershed Association plans river cleanup on Saturday

The Kiski Watershed Association will sponsor a cleanup of the Kiski River from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday beginning at the canoe and boat launch on First Street in Avonmore.

Volunteers are needed to pull tires and trash from the river. Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet. People are needed in the river and on the shore. Anyone who owns a canoe is welcome to bring it.

Help offered with veterans benefits, claims

A veterans service officer will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday in the New Kensington 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.

The veterans service officer will be at the office the first Wednesday of each month. Appointments will be accepted, but walk-ins are welcome. For an appointment, call 724-472-4102.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesdays and Saturdays: Apollo Area Historical Society Museum, 317 N. Second St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Details: 724-478-2849 or 724-212-9255.

Wednesday: Apollo Hose Co. 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.

Sept. 24: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a grocery giveaway raffle. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. The winner will receive 10 pounds each of chicken drums, wings, thighs and split breasts; boneless pork chops, T-bone steaks, shrimp, 80/20 hamburger, hot dogs, hot or sweet sausage, kielbasa, Delmonico steaks and bacon, a case each of corn, baked beans, water, soda and beer, a Blackstone LP gas griddle and a freezer. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. Sept. 24 Pa. Daily Pick-3 number. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776, after weekend Masses in the church vestibule and at the parish office.

Arnold

Tuesday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., will sponsor a bingo night. Doors open at 6 p.m. There is a $1,000 jackpot game with a $500 consolation prize. Pierogi, snacks, drinks, daubers and extra packages will be sold. Admission: $25.

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.

Freeport

Wednesday: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry 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.

Harrison  

Tuesday: The Accordion Club is seeking new players of all ages. Meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6003 Freeport Road. Details: 724-236-0665.

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 new 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. Clothing will be available at very low cost. Donations welcome during these hours.

Wednesday: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean fall and back-to-school clothing in all sizes is needed. No housewares or bedding please due to lack of space. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

Oct. 14: A gun bash will be from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 1 p.m. Cost: $30, includes food and beverages. Sponsored by the post and auxiliary. Must be at least 21 to attend. No outside alcohol permitted. Tickets: Debbie, 412-298-6175.

New Kensington

Tuesday and Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes and linens. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Winter clothing donations welcome during business hours.

North Apollo

Sept. 23: Tickets are on sale for a Haunted Halloween Bingo set for 7 p.m. at North Apollo Volunteer Fire Department, 311 N. 16^th St. Doors open at 5 p.m. Cost: $30, includes games, supplies, food and drinks. Must be 21 to attend. There will be instant games, a DJ and 50/50. Costumes encouraged. Reserved seating available for groups of eight or more. Tickets: 724-472-5346.

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. Please note the new location. Details: 412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Tarentum

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: https://elks644.org/elks-kitchen-1. Orders: 724-226-1644 by 8:15 p.m.

Wednesday: The borough farmers market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of First United Presbyterian Church, 913 Lock St.

Vandergrift

Wednesday: The Anime Club for children in fifth through 10^th grade atVandergrift Public Library will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Details: 724-568-2212.

Washington Township  

Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.

Sept. 30: Community Church of Pine Run EMC is accepting vendor applications for its annual fall Scholarship Festival set for noon to 4 p.m. at Kunkle Park, 283 Pine Run Church Road. Fee: $15. Details: pinerunemc.org/fallfestival2023.