PITTSBURGH - The Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Department recently received a $500 grant from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Highmark offers a grant program to help fund charitable agencies its employees work with. Ten other grants were awarded to agencies outside of Butler County, according to a company news release.

Steve Dancisin of Cranberry Township is in charge of training for the township fire department and he also is a database consultant for Highmark.

He submitted the grant application to assist the department in buying video training items such as an audio-visual cart, television, and VCR/DVD player.

---

The

St. Barnabas/Valencia Woods Auxiliary

recently elected

Dianne Whetsell

of Coraopolis as its president.

Other recently installed officers include second vice president

Nicola Hood

of Richland Township, recording secretary

Martha Taylor

of Richland Township and treasurer

Fran Sheffler

of Moon Township.

Whetsell has served as the special events assistant for the St. Barnabas Charitable Foundation since March 2004.

---

The

Cranberry Township Athletic Association

recently presented a check for $1,000 to the Seneca Valley Softball Boosters to help with costs related to flood damage and field repair at the Seneca Valley High School softball complex.

For more information about upcoming events for softball coaches and players, call Tom Marlowe at 724-452-4547.

---

During a luncheon ceremony held recently at the Village at St. Barnabas, several St. Barnabas Charitable Foundation volunteers were recognized for their service.

The volunteers recognized included

Teddy Esler, Lucille Marsico, Barbara Keane,

Madge Clayton and Carol Kelly, all of the Woodlands at St. Barnabas;

Fran Sheffler of Moon Township;

Lynne Rieser of Avalon;

Loraine Day of Richland Township; and

Rita Gurtner and Rita Foster, both of the Village at St. Barnabas.