The Cranberry CUP – A History of Growth and Giving

The Cranberry CUP has expanded its activities and its ability to raise funds since its inception. This success is due entirely to the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of individuals, neighborhoods, businesses and government agencies. The CUP currently raises money through registration fees, raffle ticket sales, individual and business contributions, and corporate sponsorships. Many individuals and companies also donate essential products and services, or provide them at a reduced rate. A brief look back follows.

2000 – Seven neighborhoods competed in the first Cranberry CUP Softball Tournament to raise $3,800 for the American Cancer Society.

2001 – Fourteen neighborhoods raised $14,000 for the Children of JoEllen Maughn-Evanson Scholarship Fund. The first female police officer in Cranberry Township died after a long battle with cancer. The event featured the addition of the now annual Kick-Off Party.

2002 – Local businesses and government agencies entered their first teams in the Softball Tournament. Twenty-three neighborhood and four business/government teams raised $23,500 for Pennsylvania State Trooper Bob Newton, who was suffering from a rare form of cancer.

2003 – Thirty neighborhood and 12 business/government teams raised $40,000 to offset medical costs for Kayla Sansone. The 13-year-old cancer patient passed away three months later in November.

2004 – Thirty-six neighborhood and 12 business/government teams raised $55,000 for Alex Poust, 15. Alex died on December 3, before he was well enough to travel to Texas for a bone marrow transplant.

2005 – The CUP held the first of what is now the annual Golf Classic. Twenty-three neighborhood and 13 business teams competed in the Classic. The CUP raised $75,000 to help with medical costs for seven-year- old Isabella Christenson and nine-year-old Dakota Dore.

2006 – The Cranberry CUP raised more than $140,000 (including a $40,000 donation from the Rick Restelli Cancer & Heart Foundation) to help the Sherri and Doug Maybee family as well as seven other local families. Sherri has medical conditions that prevent her from working. The CUP was able to purchase a new home for the family.

2007 – For the first time, the Cranberry CUP acquired sponsors for all three major components of the CUP weekend – the Golf Classic, Kick-Off Party and Softball Tournament. In addition, the CUP expanded its geographic boundary to include potential beneficiaries from within the entire Seneca Valley School District. More than $115,000 was raised. The primary beneficiary was the Robert (Bob) Giebel family of Harmony. Bob, who is unable to work because he has multiple sclerosis, lost his wife to cardiac arrest in February 2007. CUP proceeds helped Bob pay off his mortgage and replace a structurally unsafe garage.

2008 – Thirty-nine foursomes (156 participants) competed in the Golf Outing. The Kick-off Party was attended by approximately 450 people. Thirty-six neighborhood teams from Cranberry Township along with twenty-four business teams, representing more than 1,000 participants and over 20,000 residents, competed in the softball tournament. The Opening Ceremony was attended by more than 2,000 people. The 2008 events raised more than $115,000 and the Cranberry CUP was able to provide financial assistance and emotional support to families within our community.

2009 – A Decade of Giving! More than $115,000 was raised to benefit the Jimmy Barbarino family. Additionally, due to the long-standing success of the CUP, additional funds were available to provide financial assistance and emotional support to other families within our community during the holidays.

2010 – The Surman Family -- Eric, Laura, Aiden, Gavin and Camryn – was selected as the Inspirational Family. More than $125,000 was raised during our events. We also donated $1000 each worth of gifts to six families in need from Seneca Valley School District during the holidays. During 2010, we also established 2 scholarships for high school seniors: one scholarship for volunteerism and the other in honor of Megan O'Shea Durst for work with children with disabilities.