New Year’s ball drop at noon

For those who who don’t want to stay up until midnight, the Monroeville Public Library will host a ball drop at noon on Dec. 31 inside the Monroeville Mall, 200 Mall Circle Drive.

This free, all-ages New Year’s Eve celebration will be held on the mall’s lower level in front of Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Festivities start at 11:30 a.m. and will include a raffle, party hats and horn blowers, while supplies last. At noon, a disco ball will be lowered so families can ring in the new year together.

For questions, email Alice Rathjen at rathjena@monroevillelibrary.org or call the library at 412.372.0500.

East Suburban Artists League exhibit

The East Suburban Artists League invites the public to a Dec. 14 reception for its exhibit at Gallery Space in the Monroeville Public Library, 4000 Gateway Campus Boulevard.

It will be from 6-8 p.m. and will showcase pieces from a variety of ESAL artists. Some works will be for sale.

For more, see ESALart.org.

American Legion scholarships

The Pennsylvania American Legion is taking entries for its annual essay contest. Winners will receive $3,500, $3,000 or $2,500 scholarships.

The contest is open to students in multiple categories: grades 6 - 12. Students can be from public, private, parochial, cyber/charter or homeschooled.

Students must submit their essay by mail or hand delivery to their local American Legion post by Jan. 8 for those in grades 9-12, and by Feb. 5 for those in grades 6-8. Complete rules and regulations are available at PA-legion.com/programs/student-and-youth/essay-program or by emailing wareagles79@hotmail.com.

The Legion also hosts an oratorical contest with scholarships offering $7,500, $5,000 and $4,000. That contest is open to those in grades 9-12. More information is available at Legion.org/oratorical or by emailing jgdrnjevich@aol.com.

Heating assistance available

Thousands of eligible customers miss out on bill assistance by not applying for federal grants. With the winter season approaching, many income-eligible customers remain unaware of programs that can significantly reduce their energy bill.

Peoples Natural Gas, an essential utilities company, encourages its customers to take advantage of available resources to help offset winter heating costs.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is now open for the 2024-25 heating season. LIHEAP is a federally funded assistance program that provides grants to eligible low-income households to help pay for heating costs. Grants start at $200 and may be higher based on income and the number of people living in the home.

To qualify for a LIHEAP grant, customers must have a total gross household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Customers do not have to be on public assistance or have an unpaid heating bill. LIHEAP is open to renters and homeowners. To learn more about the income limits and to apply, visit https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dhs.html, click on Services in the menu and search for LIHEAP.

In addition to LIHEAP, Peoples offers programs to help make energy-saving home improvements that reduce long-term costs. If you or someone you know needs assistance, call 1-800-400-WARM (9276) or visit peoples-gas.com/help to learn more.

Blood donors sought

The American Red Cross and Vitalant are encouraging prospective blood donors to step up now that cold weather is here.

Donations of all blood types are crucial year-round, especially type O, the most frequently transfused blood type. O-negative blood can be given to patients of any blood type, while O-positive can help most patients.

To find a Red Cross location near you and to learn more about blood donation, including eligibility information, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Vitalant, which operates about 115 donation centers nationwide, is thanking donors who give blood, platelets or plasma through Dec. 20 with a $10 gift card as part of its Donor Rewards Program. Donors also will be entered for a chance to win one of five $5,000 gift cards.

To make an appointment and find locations, visit vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).

Anti-litter award program offered for kids

Environmental nonprofit Keep America Beautiful is seeking entries from children in kindergarten through sixth grade for its Litter Hawk Youth Award Program.

Children are asked to complete a project sharing their hope, optimism and concerns about litter and inspire others through art, words or video.

The theme for the contest is “Join the Greatest American Cleanup! Show us how you can keep your community litter-free for America’s 250th birthday.”

Children in kindergarten through grade 4 can create a poster; those in grade 5 are asked to write an essay; and those in grade 6 can create a video.

The deadline to participate is Jan. 31. Winners will be announced in April as part of an awards ceremony at the state Capitol building in Harrisburg.

For an entry form, go to KeepPABeautiful.org/grants-awards/awards/litter-hawk, email slarson@keeppabeautiful.org or call 724-836-4121, ext. 104.

Students sought for charity’s leadership program

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is seeking participants for its “Student Visionaries of the Year” program, where local student teams undergo a seven-week leadership program to raise awareness and funding for blood cancer patients and their families and build professional skills.

Teams are tasked with organizing fundraisers and other events for the benefit of the society.

For details, visit LLSstudentvisionaries.org or email erica.gribbin@lls.org.

Free books available monthly for kids through age 5

Children who reside in the ZIP codes of 15140, 15145 and 15148 are eligible to receive free books every month until their 5th birthday through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program in conjunction with Reading Ready Pittsburgh.

The program, which aims to inspire a love of reading, is open to all children within the city of Pittsburgh and 18 ZIP codes in the surrounding area.

Each month, a new, carefully selected book will be mailed in your child’s name directly to your home. The first book is always the classic “The Little Engine That Could.”

For details about the program and to enroll your child, visit readingreadypittsburgh.org/DPIL.

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