CRANBERRY TWP — Freedom Square Diner and longtime township resident Frank Petrone are the 2012 Community Service Award honorees.

The awards, which were announced Thursday at the township supervisors’ meeting, honor people and businesses who focus on the community.

The Business of the Year and Citizen of the Year awards are presented annually by the Cranberry Township Community Chest and THE CHAMBER of Commerce.

Freedom Square Diner and Petrone will be honored publicly later this summer.

The honorees had $2,500 donated in their names to the Cranberry Legacy Endowment Foundation, which benefits both the community chest and THE CHAMBER.

Freedom Square Diner

Bob Gillenberger, president of the CTCC, told the supervisors Thursday evening Freedom Square Diner, which opened in the Freedom Square shopping plaza in 2008, is locally owned.

For nearly 30 years, owners Tom Cross and his former partner Ray Carrabbia, who had operated the independent Andrea’s Restaurant in Crafton, used a portion of the proceeds from their business to benefit charities.

When they opened Freedom Diner, they applied the same approach to raising funds on behalf of Gleaner’s Food Bank, for which the restaurant has collected thousands of dollars through its annual Christmas Giving Dinners, said Gillenberger.

Even the restaurant’s employees donate their time during those two days.

In addition, the diner has supported Cranberry’s volunteer fire company members and their families, donating Christmas meals and children’s gifts to volunteers, he said.

“During its four years in Cranberry, Freedom Square Diner has earned its reputation as a pillar of the township’s business community and as its 2012 Business of the Year,” said Gillenberger.

Supervisors’ chairman Bruce Mazzoni said it is a pleasure to see a smaller business that is so committed to the community.

Petrone: Mr. Cranberry

When Petrone moved to Cranberry, in 1960, most people referred to it by its post office, Mars.

It was largely unpopulated with just one major housing development and only light commercial development.

Gillenberger said Petrone could see that with Cranberry having its own exit on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and plans for Interstate 79 that its rural quality would change. So, he joined the planning commission and became involved in shaping his community’s growth.

“With a background in architectural materials, he understood what was involved in construction, and in 1976, was elected to Cranberry Township’s Board of Supervisors where he served for six years. The year before, he had been elected president of Cranberry Township Rotary, of which he was a founding member, and where one of his signature projects was the formation of Cranberry’s original Community Chest,” said Gillenberger.

Even so, Cranberry was still mostly known as Mars. So, Petrone joined the Post Office Commission, advocating for a post office which would carry the name of Cranberry Township.

It took 15 years, but Cranberry got its post office.

“He loves Cranberry Township, and he’s a great ambassador for the community,” said Cranberry manager Jerry Andree.

“Frank is Mr. Cranberry. He’s a true ambassador,” added supervisor Dick Hadley.