Brackenridge tree planting, coat drive close out the week

A tree planting along McIntire Way in Brackenridge is set for 9 a.m. Nov. 4, running from Mile Lock Lane to Morgan Street. The Brackenridge Improvement Group is sponsoring the work and says jobs are available for all ages and skill levels, with tools and instructions provided. Check-in with coffee and doughnuts begins at 8:30 a.m., and lunch follows afterward in Brackenridge Park. Registration is required for planning purposes; volunteers can email breadandchaiguy@gmail.com.

The seventh annual Winter-Ready Rams coat drive for children in the Highlands School District runs through Friday. New and gently used children's coats can be dropped off in bins outside the home concession stand during home varsity football games, at bins at 200 Banbury Lane and 233 Chinkapin Drive in Harrison, and at 309 Bridge St. and 701 E. Ninth Ave. in Tarentum. Online donations can be shipped to the 200 Banbury Lane address. Coats will be available at the Nov. 9 parent and teacher conferences at the schools.

A free community dinner will be served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at The Tomb, 1821 Fifth Ave. in Arnold, with everyone welcome. The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center will hand out free grab-and-go lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday in the center parking lot at 917 Brackenridge Ave., along with free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi. The Blessing Closet at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., opens Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; items are free, and donations of laundered clothing, shoes and boots that are free from smoke and pet hair are accepted.

The Dynamic Community Foundation will match donations to the Freeport Food Bank up to $5,000 through Saturday. Contributions can be sent by check to Dynamic Community Foundation, 237 Fifth St., Freeport PA 16229, with FOODBANK in the memo area, by Venmo at @dynamiccommunityfoundation, or at the NextHome Dynamic office.

Bingo is scheduled Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Apollo Hose Company No. 2, 325 N. Fourth St., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and a $25 packet cost. The kitchen will be open with a limited menu, and details are available at 724-478-4831. The Veterans of Foreign Wars will have bingo at 7 p.m. Thursday in the post back hall at 102 Fifth St. in Freeport, with the kitchen open from 5 to 10 p.m. and attendees asked to bring bingo chips. Bingo is also set for 7 p.m. Thursday at Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department, 113 Firehall Road.

The Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer fall story time at 10 a.m. Tuesday for children ages 3 to 5 and their caregiver at 1522 Broadview Blvd., with songs and crafts and no reservations required. The library's Kitchen Sink Book Club meets Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the same address to discuss "Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi, with reservations required at 724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org. A Pumpkin Paint Night for students in fifth through 12th grade is set for 4 p.m. Wednesday at the library, also requiring reservations.

The Ultimate Car Cruise will honor the late Frazer Police Chief Terry Kuhns from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the former JCPenney lot at the Galleria of Pittsburgh Mills. Kuhns owned a Plymouth Fury, so MOPAR cars and trucks will be featured, and all makes and models are welcome.

Gift basket donations are being accepted for a spaghetti dinner fundraiser planned Nov. 7 at Generations House of Worship to benefit cancer patient Jace Spears, with a Nov. 5 deadline. Details and pickup arrangements can be handled through Shannon Crissman at 724-524-1515. The Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation will offer free hands-on training on controlling bleeding in an emergency from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 4 at the foundation Walker Conference Room, 1 Acee Drive, with reservations required at 724-294-3157.