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Western Pa. toy run to benefit children’s charities
The 33rd annual Western Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Toy Run to benefit local children’s charities at Christmastime will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Lower Burrell Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road.
All brands of motorcycles, riders and non-riders are welcome. Advance registration is $15 and includes a ticket for a drawing for $200, a year bar pin and door prize ticket. Same-day registration is $15 or a new toy of equal or greater value in its original packaging. No stuffed animals, please. There will be games, a silent auction, 50-50 raffle and bike show with prizes. Rain or shine.
The largest preregistered group will receive a donation to present to the children’s charity of their choice for use at Christmastime and a plaque. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
For a registration form and information, visit Western Pa. Toy Run on Facebook. For questions, call or text 412-401-8343 or or wpapghtoyrun@gmail.com.
Public welcome at free ice cream social
A free ice cream social will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the Cabot American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road, Jefferson Township.
There will be a DJ, a petting zoo and a balloon artist. The kitchen will be open and the public is welcome.
Matthew Whitaker to perform Sunday at Hartwood Acres
The free 2024 Allegheny County Summer Concert series will feature pianist Matthew Whitaker with Colter Harper at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater, 4070 Middle Road, Hampton.
Bring a chair. Popup tents and umbrellas are permitted but must be taken down before the performance begins. Dogs are permitted but must be on a leash at all times and be up to date on all vaccinations and licensing.
Calendar
Apollo
Today: The Apollo-Ridge High School Marching Band will host a pie night and preview of this year’s half time show “Top Gun” at 7 p.m. at Owens Field. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Admission: $5, includes a slice of pie and drink. There will be a silent auction and 50-50.
Arnold
Saturday: Unity in the Community will host a back-to-school backpack giveaway from 10 a.m. to noon at Roosevelt Park, 705 Drey St.
Avonmore
Saturday: A bingo to benefit the Avonmore Senior Center will begin at 1 p.m. at the center, 458 Railroad Ave. Doors open at 11 a.m. Packets must be picked by 12:30 p.m. and early birds will begin at 12:45 p.m. There will be a 50-50 raffle, 14 regular games, five specials and a $300 last jackpot game. Cost: $25 before Friday; at the door, $30 door, cash only. Tickets: 724-697-4014.
Bethel
Saturday : The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will celebrate National S’mores Day from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. There will be a campfire, stories and s’mores. Cost: $8. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongodc.org.
Brackenridge
Sept. 21: The auxiliaries of Pioneer Hose and Hilltop Hose companies will host a super bingo at Pioneer Hose Company, 124 Morgan St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., early birds start at 12:45 p.m. and regular bingo begins at 1 p.m. Cost: $35, in advance, will be $40 at the door; includes a light lunch and bingo packet. There will be 20 regular games, specials and a $1,000 must-go jackpot game. Tickets: 724-882-5908.
East Vandergrift
Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and 2: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is selling tickets for a 3-day lottery raffle. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. Pennsylvania Pick-3 lottery number each night. Each winner will receive $2,500. Cost: $10, includes two three-digit numbers. Tickets: Patricia, 724-568-3409, Deborah, 724-859-3186 or after Sunday Mass in the church vestibule.
Gilpin
Today: Little Owls Learning Center, 493 Route 66, will host an art show “The Four Seasons” at 6:30 p.m. featuring the works of the children who attend the center. Public welcome. Details: 724-845-1755.
Harrison
Today: 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 jackpot game.
Saturday: The Diaper Pantry at Christ Our Hope Anglican Church will distribute diapers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 926 Painter Ave., and at Sheldon Park, both in Natrona Heights. Recipients must drive up and remain in their vehicles. First-time recipients must provide their own identification, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card.
Sunday/Wednesday: The Pittsburgh-Tarentum Campmeeting Association, 1451 Main St., will have a service at 7 p.m. Sunday with speaker Travis Scott. Paul Dougherty will speak at a service at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Public welcome. Details: Kelly Dougherty, 412-915-1436.
Sept. 14: A happy hour cash bash will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $25; includes food and five numbers for the drawing; $10, food only. Karaoke with Bucky will be afterward. Cash bar. Funds raised will be donated to the post building fund. Tickets: Deb, 412-298-6157 or dmckillop@hotmail.com or the post, 724-904-7649.
Sept. 8: Table reservations are being accepted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for a craft show set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Drive. Cost: $25; with electric, $30. Details: Deb, 412-298-6175 or dmckillop@hotmail.com.
Kiski Township
Saturday: Kiski Township Volunteer Fire Department will host a cash bash at the firehall, 1037 Route 56. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the first drawing will be at noon. Cost: $25, includes food and drink. There will be side raffles, a 50-50, a $1,000 treasure chest game and $2,500 grand prize. Tickets: Christine, 724-541-6345.
Lower Burrell
Today: The Burrell High School Marching Band will host its preview evening at 5:30 p.m. at the high school stadium, Puckety Church Road. This year’s show is “The Tortured Nightmares of Poe.” Admission is free and there will be raffles.
Saturday: The Joseph “Bud” Myers Farmers Market will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Bon Air School parking lot, 3260 Leechburg Road.
Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars post will feature the 56 East Band from 8 to 11 p.m. Members and three guests welcome.
Saturday: The ClothesLine Ministry at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 3084 Leechburg Road, will be open from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost: clothing, shoes and purses, 25 cents each or five for $1; semi/formal dresses, $5. Free school supplies will be given to students accompanied by an adult. The jewelry room will be open. Please bring your own bags.
Aug. 16: Westmoreland County Marines No. 1416 is selling tickets for a $1,000 meat raffle. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. Pennsylvania Lottery three-digit number. The winner receives $1,000 worth of meat from Sprankle’s Markets, a four-burner Char-Broil grill, grill cover, stainless steel utensils and a 20-pound propane tank. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Tickets: Jim Walters, 724-681-6293 or waltersusmc@comcast.net.
New Kensington
Today : Pa. Rep. Jill Cooper will host a free afternoon with Summit Legal Aid from 1 to 4 p.m. at Valley Points Family YMCA, 800 Constitution Blvd. Learn about your legal rights. There will be free refreshments, basket raffle and activities. Reservations are encouraged, but not required. Reservations: 800-846-0871 or tinyurl.com/4nmkxt9j.
Saturday: Peoples Library will host a program about drum circles with Music for Life of Pittsburgh at 11:30 a.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.
Saturday: Voodoo Brewing Company will host a fundraiser to benefit the New Kensington Police Department K9 unit from 5 to 10 p.m. at the pub, 956 Fifth Ave. The band Shot O Soul will play from 6 to 9 p.m. and there will be a basket raffle and more.
Monday: Peoples Library will host “Construction Crew,” an hour of play with building supplies, at 1 p.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.
Oakmont
Through August 31: Kerr Memorial Museum, 402 Delaware Ave., Oakmont, is featuring an exhibit of elegant fashions of the late 1800s to the Roaring ‘20s at the museum. Items on display were donated to the museum by the W. H. Brown Family of Pittsburgh. Hours are by appointment. Tours and information: 412-826-9295 to schedule a tour.
Sept. 15: A harvest tea to benefit Kerr Memorial Museum will be at 1:30 p.m. at Oakmont Country Club. A wine cash bar will be available. Hats and fascinators welcome. Cost: $75. Reservations: kerrmuseum.com/tea or mail a check payable to Kerr Memorial Museum to 402 Delaware Ave., Oakmont PA 15139. Include special table arrangement requests. Ticket deadline: Aug. 28. Details: 412-826-9295.
Parks Township
Today: Parks Township Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. in the firehall, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will have a country music jam night from 5 to 8 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Public welcome. Details: 724-845-2390.
Pittsburgh
Wednesday: A Vitalant community blood drive will be from 7 to 12:30 p.m. in café dining rooms A and B at UPMC St. Margaret Hospital, 815 Freeport Road. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments: 877-258-4825 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org.
Aug. 14: UMPC St. Margaret Hospital will offer a free Heartsaver CPR/AED training for adults from 6 to 9 p.m. to noon in the hospital lower-level conference center, 815 Freeport Road. Reservations required. Reservations: UPMC.com/classes and search for Heartsaver CPR/AED Training for Adults.
Plum
Through Aug. 16: A basket auction to benefit Beach Dog Rescue of Costa Maya, Mexico, will be at John Anthony’s Restaurant, 115 Center New Texas Road. Cost: $10 for 25 tickets. Can be purchased during regular business hours from the servers and staff. The drawing will be at 8 p.m. Aug. 16 at which time the owner of the rescue and a rescue dog will be present.
Springdale
Aug. 17: A miniature golf tournament to benefit the Springdale High School Marching Band will begin at 9 a.m. at Glen’s Custard, 400 Pittsburgh St. Prizes will be awarded to the top three golfers. Cost: $15, includes 18 holes of golf, lunch and frozen custard. Tickets: tinyurl.com/5ybcrnfu.
Springdale Township
Saturday: A spaghetti dinner fundraiser to benefit cancer patient Aurora Romano, 4, will be from 1 to 5 p.m. at Allegheny Valley Volunteer Fire Company, 815 Parkway Drive, Harwick. Doors open at noon. There will be a DJ from 1 to 4 p.m., a silent auction, bake sale and 50-50. Cost: $20; children, $10; younger than 5, free.
Tarentum
Saturday: 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.
Saturday: Bethel AME Church will host a $1 spaghetti dinner from noon to 3 p.m. at the church, 250 Western Ave. Also available: blueberry and peach breads, $5; stuffed pepper and haluski soups, $4. Please call after 10 a.m. for orders of more than five spaghetti dinners. Orders: 724-224-2417.
Sept. 26 to 28: Summit Hose Company is accepting vendor applications for its fall festival. No food or alcohol vendors will be accepted. Details: Carrie Fox, 724-448-1470.
Ongoing: Tarentum Area Lions Club has a variety of styles of brooms for sale. Types available include soft and hard bristle push brooms, $16; kitchen brooms, $13; heavier duty mill brooms, $15; children’s brooms, $8; and whisk brooms, $8. Details: Jody Shumaker, 724-954-2341; Donna Holsing, 724-899-6277 or send a message to Tarentum Area Lions Club on Facebook. Proceeds benefit local and global Lions charities.
Vandergrift
Saturday: A Beach Bingo will begin at 7 p.m. at Vandergrift No. 1 Firehall, 278 Franklin Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. Cost: $25, include 10 regular games that pay $50; four specials that pay $100; and a $500 must-go jackpot game. Advance tickets include one free jackpot card and meal. There will be food, instant games and a silent auction. Must be 21. BYOB. Proceeds will benefit Vandergrift Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 and American Legion Auxiliary. Tickets: tinyurl.com/3r3hs55p and at the door.
Dec. 6-8: The Vandergrift Back When Holiday Extravaganza is looking for craft vendors and food trucks for the celebration. Cost: outdoor spaces, $35; indoor spaces, $75. Details: text your name and home mailing address only to 724-882-6013 or private message Vandergrift Back When Holiday Extravaganza on Facebook.
Washington Township
Today: Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 4078 Route 66. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and sales start at 6 p.m. Free coffee. The kitchen will be open. Players must be at least 18 or accompanied by an adult.
