Church to host harvest festivalFaith Fellowship Alliance Church, 200 Faith Way Fared Drive, will have a harvest festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the church.The event will feature a free pick-your-own-pumpkin patch for children 12 and younger (while they last), free pony rides, a free bounce house, a balloon artist, live music, a cake walk, games and activities and a craft show.Food will be available for purchase, and the proceeds will benefit the Life Choices Maternity Home in Butler.

Church will host abuse programEVANS CITY — St. John’s United Church of Christ, 501 E. Main St., will host a program on the area’s growing epidemic of substance abuse from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Parking and handicapped access are available, and refreshments will be served.The informal conversation, “Understanding Substance Abuse and Where to go for Help,” will be led by Beth Bittner, manager of Community-Based Outreach, Center for Community Resources in Butler.For more information, contact St. John’s at 724-538-8124.

VFW Auxiliary will accept menThe Butler VFW Post 249 Auxiliary, 429 W. Jefferson St., has recently opened its membership to males.For more information on eligibility, stop by the post after 2 p.m. any day or call 724-287-4992.

Institute planning several tripsSLIPPERY ROCK — The Institute for Learning in Retirement of Slippery Rock has several trips planned in September including Foxburg and the Saxonburg Museum.For more information, call 724-637-2982.

Event to benefit elementary teacherAn event to benefit Center Township third-grade teacher Megan Ratica will run from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Kelly Automotive Park, 100 Pullman Park Place.It will feature food music, auctions and softball and cornhole tournaments.Ratica was diagnosed with a bone disease that has led to ongoing medical issues and expenses.For more information or to purchase tickets, call Karyn at 724-822-8108, Jenna at 724-355-0583 or Kim at 412-523-3774.