CRANBERRY TWP — Hundreds of residents gathered Saturday at Community Park for the opening ceremonies of the 16th annual Cranberry CUP to rally around the 2015 Inspirational Family and all of the other families who have been helped by the organization.

Beautiful weather made for a great weekend for the community to help the CUP raise funds for people in need.

Stephen Popson, his wife, Shelby, and their three children, Isaac, Koen and Emma, received a standing ovation from the crowd when they arrived to the ceremonies in a fire truck provided by the Cranberry Township Fire Department.

The family came through a tunnel made by the Seneca Valley School District Cheerleading Squad to get to the field for the ceremony.

Stephen Popson said it was a blessing to see the community, and he got teary eyed when he saw the crowd.

Life for the Popson family changed overnight when Stephen Popson discovered he suffered from congestive heart failure.

After going to the hospital, it was found his heart was only functioning at 10 percent.

He was forced to quit his job because of his health, and soon Shelby had to resign from her job to care for her husband. That forced the family of five into a severe economic hardship.

Stephen Popson’s heart functions at about 15 to 20 percent, and he has a permanent defibrillator. Doctors are not sure if his heart will ever get any better.

“He is such an inspirational person because the doctors told him that his heart was damaged from excessive use of energy drinks,” said Cranberry CUP President Cathy Cortazzo. “He is on a mission to warn us about energy drinks, and I just think that is so brave.”

Stephen Popson said people drink them every day and there are no warning labels on them.

“Each time you drink them you are killing yourself,” he said.

Shelby Popson said she had never been through such a rough time.

“Going from a normal life to getting told the next day your husband might not make it; it was the hardest thing to do to come home and stay strong for your kids,” she said.

Shelby Popson said she could not thank everyone enough for all that they have done for their family.

“I can’t thank you guys enough to be able to bring a light into our family’s life after such a rough roller-coaster ride,” she said.

The Cranberry CUP bought the family a new double-wide mobile home to give them more room so Shelby Popson can open a day care there and be able to stay with her husband. The organization also bought a medical alert system for Stephen Popson to contact an ambulance if needed.

Jason Koliscak, who is a member of the 2014 Inspirational Family, spoke at the opening ceremonies.

In 2005, he with diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a chronic liver condition, at the age of 29. The condition led to inoperable bile duct cancer and chemotherapy. He has had three surgeries.

Koliscak said it was great to see everyone again this year.

“Eighteen months ago, I did not know what the future had in store for me,” he said. “It was a rough year. The Cranberry CUP has certainly helped us.”

Koliscak said the Cranberry Cup is a “fantastic organization.”

“I hope to see you all next year,” he said. “I will see you all again next year.”

Mike Manipole, vice chairman of the township supervisors, said a person feels small when he is at an event like the CUP because there are so many people of passion, honor and courage.

“We are honored that each and every one of you are here to celebrate an inspiration and instill your courage and also the pride and respect you have for our community,” he said.

He said the community is fortunate to be a part of an event that was started 16 years ago.

“It is an event that has continued to grow year after year,” he said. “Uniting people was their first mission that they started out to do. Not only have they united our community, they have united this whole region.

“We are so thankful for the efforts of people that go out of their way to work all year for this event.”

Manipole said the Popson family gave the community a gift as well.

“The gift they just gave us is that they empower each and every one of us,” Manipole said. “You all have homework, you all have a mission.”

Manipole said everyone should look out for their neighbor, parents, senior citizens and for the people in the community even if they don’t know them.

“It is a great opportunity to share what this whole Cranberry CUP is about, caring and support,” Manipole said.

The Cranberry CUP began Friday with a golf tournament at the Cranberry Highlands Golf Course. There also was a kickoff party at the golf course.

Cortazzo said the kickoff party and the golf tournament were well attended.

“It is so wonderful to see the community come together and everybody cheering the Popsons on,” she said. “I think it lifts them up and gives them a bright light for all of the darkness that they have had to endure over the year.”

Over the weekend, 52 softball teams played in the tournament in the neighborhood division and the open division, which consists of businesses and any group not in a neighborhood, Cortazzo said.

The Crossings won the neighborhood division for the second year in a row, and Edible Arrangements won the open division, Cortazzo said.

Her hope for the weekend was that people realize they make a difference in people’s lives, and it was not just about winning or losing a game, Cortazzo said.

“Without all of you none of this would be happening — without the volunteers, the participants, the businesses, government, churches, the schools and the entire community that is making a difference in many lives throughout the year,” Cortazzo said.