In Brief: Holiday live-stream concert, recycling pickup and more in the North Hills

Community of Music concert going virtual

The annual Community of Music event sponsored by North Hills Cares will be switched to a virtual performance this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The live-streamed concert from the Block Northway in Ross will be performed from 7:30 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 4.

The concert will feature choirs, bands and orchestras from the North Hills, North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, Avonworth and Hampton school districts.

Recording artist Melina Bowser also is scheduled to perform and Santa Claus will make an appearance.

The shopping center also is sponsoring a Fill the Sleigh drive on Dec. 6 and 7 to collect nonperishable single-serving food items that will be donated to local school “backpack” programs. There also will be prizes, a Santa’s Mailbox, a gift-wrapping service and a holiday photo booth at the event.

The concert is sponsored by North Hills Cares, which also is accepting donations for the backpack drive online.

‘At Your Door’ recycling pickup program

McCandless residents who need to dispose of household chemicals and electronic devices can now have them picked up for free.

An appointment is needed to schedule pickup, which can be made online or by calling Waste Management weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1-800-449-7587.

Residents must provide their address and the type and amount of waste that need to have picked up. A kit with instructions and other items needed to help pack and secure the items will be sent out when the appointment is booked.

For more information about the program including a list of items that can be recycled is available on the town’s website.

NHCO toy drive runs through Dec. 9

North Hills Community Outreach is holding its annual toy drive to help needy children through Dec. 9.

Last year the charity provided holiday gifts for nearly 800 children in the North Hills and expects to exceed that number this year because of the financial difficulties created by the coronavirus pandemic.

To reduce the need to shop and drop off items, the organization recommends this year’s donations be made in the form of gift cards or by selecting items from an Amazon Wish List.

People who prefer to directly purchase new unwrapped toys, games and other gifts for kids of all ages can drop them off at any of NHCO’s three offices weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Gift cards should be mailed to the organization’s main office at 1975 Ferguson Road, Allison Park, PA 15101.

The other offices are at the Millvale Community Center, 416 Lincoln Ave.; and at Greenstone Methodist Church, 939 California Ave., Pittsburgh.

Marshall seeks input from residents

Marshall is asking residents to complete a survey to help guide township officials while developing strategic plans for the future.

Officials said they are seeking ideas about “ways it can improve in the long term, recognizing that those who live and work here can provide valuable information to shape how the Township should continue to develop in the years to come.”

The questionnaire is among several efforts the township will undertake over the next several months to gather input from residents. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and the responses remain anonymous, but residents have the option of providing their name and email address.

The deadline to complete the survey is Dec. 1.

To participate, see: https://bit.ly/MarshallTWPSurvey.

Survey results will be posted online.

Collection to help Toys for Tots

Three McCandless volunteer fire departments are joining forces for the sixth annual drive to support Toys for Tots.

Residents can help bring joy to needy kids during the holidays by donating unwrapped toys during any of the following times:

• Tuesday, Nov. 24 from 6 to 7 p.m. at any fire station in McCandless.

• Nov. 27 to 29 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Target parking lot at Pine Creek Plaza, 9805 McKnight Road.

Donations also can be dropped off at boxes located at the Marshall Township Municipal Buiding at 525 Pleasant Hill Road, Suite 100.