CRANBERRY TWP — The recent marketing campaign by the Cranberry Township Community Chest has brought in 13 donations to the 2015 Project of the Year.

The project is a $500,000 initiative to recruit and retain more volunteer firefighters in Butler County.

Bruce Mazzoni, treasurer of the community chest and chairman of the township supervisors, is thrilled with the influx of donations.

The 13 most recent donations of $6,770 bring the total amount to $279,047.

The recent donations include $5,000 from the Butler Eagle.

Other donations are: $1,000 from Ron and Linda Vodenichar; Rob and Melissa Campbell, $125; Ralph Ruggiero Jr., $100; Judith Taylor, $100; Don and Kristen Grace, $100; Barbara MacDonald, $100; Marlene Lutz, $50; Jean Purvis, $50; Gary and Sue Barkhurst, $50; Barbara and Hal Wills, $50; Bud’s Suds Beer Outlet, $25; and an anonymous donor, $20.

Mazzoni attributed the increase in donations to the marketing campaign by the community chest that involved mailing out thousands of fliers to residents and businesses.

“I ask all residents and businesses to take a moment and reflect on all the people who volunteer as firefighters,” he said.

“This is our chance with this project to help stem the decline of volunteer firefighters and ask that they support the Volunteer Firefighter Initiative project.”

The $500,000 raised will go to buy a $130,000 emergency trailer that will be used for educational, training and recruitment purposes by county fire departments.

The rest of the money will go to establish scholarships at Butler County Community College. Any student who pledges two years of service to a fire department will be eligible for a scholarship.