In Brief: Operation Santa Claus letters, holiday scavenger hunt, borrow radon detectors, virtual holiday concert and more

Letters to kids help Operation Santa Claus

Families can have a personalized letter sent to their children from Santa at a cost of $5 with proceeds benefiting the Operation Santa Claus charity.

The letters feature a child’s name, references to items they put on their Christmas wish list and a special “PS” from Santa.

The letter will arrive on custom Santa-themed stationary and envelope along with an official “Nice” certificate and a North Pole activity sheet.

Letters can be ordered online. They will be mailed on or before Dec. 14.

Proceeds Benefit Operation Santa Claus, a cooperative effort by Trib Total Media, Shop ‘n Save and the Salvation Army to provide local families in need with all the ingredients for a nutritious and delicious holiday meal. Children in those families receive new or gently used books.

Operation Santa Claus also is accepting donations to help families during the holidays.

Donations can be made online or by mail to: Operation Santa Claus, c/o Trib Total Media; 622 Cabin Hill Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601.

Holiday Lights Scavenger Hunt

Marshall is holding a Holiday Lights Scavenger Hunt throughout the township on Dec. 12.

The township is seeking six residents willing to “hide” light-up characters in their displays.

Also needed are unique features in displays such as inflatables, lighted sleighs, reindeer, elves and Nutcracker characters that can be included in the scavenger hunt list.

Residents also are encouraged to decorate their homes for the holidays to add to the festivities.

To participate in creating the hunt, send an email to: Jessica at jdrozd@twp.marshall.pa.us or call 724-935-3090 Ext. 214.

Radon detectors available for loan

Northland Public Library in McCandless is offering Airthings radon detectors for checkout thanks to a generous donation.

Radon detectors can tell when harmful radon gas is in the air of a home or building. The new detectors available at the library are easy to use and only need about seven days in a building to provide an accurate reading.

The units were donated by Jeremy and Stacey Shaffer and dedicated to people who have lost their lives to lung cancer.

Community of Music concert going virtual

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

The live-streamed concert from the Block Northway in Ross was scheduled for 7:30 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 4.

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

Recording artist Melina Bowser also was scheduled to perform, and Santa Claus was to make an appearance.

The shopping center also is sponsoring a Fill the Sleigh drive Sunday and Monday 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.

NA named Interact Club of the Year

The North Allegheny Interact Club for students in grades nine through 12 has been named “Interact Club of the Year” by Rotary District 7305.

NA Interact was recognized for its growth in student participation and involvement as a club last year.

Interact clubs bring together young people ages 12 to 18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of “service above self.”

Interact clubs organize at least two projects every year — one that helps their school or community and one that promotes international understanding.

The club’s officers are Hannah Shin, Lena Voss, Emily Lagnese and Myra Jafri. The sponsors are Janellen Lombardi and Carolyn Steele.

NHCO toy drive runs through Dec. 9

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

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.

Women’s Business Network

Part networking group, part mastermind group, Women’s Business Network provides members with the tools to be successful while expanding their circles of influence and marketplace.

All professional women are welcome to attend as a guest at the meeting for no charge. At the time of publication, many meetings are being held virtually, please check with the local chapter representative for more information.

The Cranberry Chapter meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 7:30 a.m., and meetings are being held via Zoom. The next December meeting will be Dec. 17. For more information, contact Nancy Wood at 724-316-3427.

The Criders Corners Chapter meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at noon, and meetings are being held on Zoom. Because of the holiday, the only December meeting will be Dec. 10. Guests are welcome to attend at no cost. For more information, contact Sherri at 412-760-9601.

The All Virtual Chapter meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m., and they meet via Zoom. The December meeting will take place Dec. 15. Guests are welcome to attend at no cost. For more information, contact Jennifer Pasquale at 412-908-1663.

NA student newspaper receives honor

North Allegheny Senior High School’s student newspaper, “The Uproar,” was named a 2020-21 Distinguished Site by Student Newspapers Online.

The organization hosts nearly 3,000 college and high school student news sites and is the largest provider in the country.