CRANBERRY TWP — The Cranberry Township Community Chest brought in more than $3,600 last week as part of its fundraising initiative for the 2015 Project of the Year.

The project is a $500,000 initiative to recruit and retain more volunteer firefighters in Butler County. The Community Chest has now raised $358,572 since fundraising began last July.

The money will go toward buying two emergency trailers at a total cost of $150,000. The rest of the money will go toward establishing scholarships at the Butler County Community College. Anyone who pledges two years of service to a local fire department will be eligible for a scholarship.

Bruce Mazzoni, treasurer of the Community Chest, said Thursday that his goal is to establish 15 scholarships at the community college.

“I’m working with a few other businesses and foundations, and I feel hopeful that we will reach our goal of 15 scholarships,” Mazzoni said. “I appreciate the support of all those who are helping with specific companies to help spread the word of the volunteer firefighter initiative.”

Anyone wishing to learn more about the project, or anyone wishing to donate, can visit the Community Chest’s website at www.ctcchest.org.

The most recent round of donations includes a $2,500 gift from the Sen. Tim Shaffer endowment; a $250 gift from Gateway Engineering, Inc.; $125 gifts from the Doherty family, Raymond and Brenda Egan and the Rea family; a $100 gift from Luann and Robert Cottington; $50 from Martha L. Pickrell, Pete Geis, William and Debra Odenthal, Joseph and Mary Beth Maddalon, Victory Family Church and the Cranberry Township Athletic Association; $25 gifts from Charles Rape, Mark and Susan Merten and Mary Rogers Lemke; and a $10 gift from Glenz Heating and Cooling.