CRANBERRY TWP — For 14 years, the Cranberry CUP (Community Uniting People) has been bringing neighbors together to help people in need.

Some light rain Saturday morning came down on the runners for the inaugural 5K run/walk, making for a soggy race. Some of the first softball games had to be postponed until later in the afternoon.

But when it came time for the opening ceremonies on Saturday morning, the rain had stopped, and the weather was good for the rest of the weekend.

The Cranberry CUP raises money for residents through its kickoff party, golf outing, home run derby and community softball tournament. Those events have raised more than $1 million since their inception.

And the Cranberry CUP had another successful weekend, according to Cathy Cortazzo, president of the CUP.

The golf outing took place Friday afternoon, and more than 500 people enjoyed the kickoff party Friday evening, she said.

“Our first annual 5K was dampened with some rain, but that did not hold back the runners and it went very well. Several runners traveled quite a distance to participate,” Cortazzo said.

This year's softball tournament had 42 teams with more than 700 players.

Pinehurst and Hunter's Creek North teams battled for the Neighborhood Championship, and Pinehurst came out on top as the champs for the third consecutive year.

In the open division, Scrap Irons battled Grasshoppers Landscaping, and the Grasshoppers won.

“There were no major injuries (as far as I know) except some scrapes and bruises,” Cortazzo said. “Several people told me that it was the best and most organized CUP tournament to date thanks to softball coordinator, Tom Hineman.

“All of the board members and so many volunteers kicked butt and contributed to make this another wonderful event for Kim Long, her family, and the community,” Cortazzo said.

The Cranberry Volunteer Fire Company brought the Long Family, this year's Inspirational Family, to the Community Park field for the opening ceremonies.

Kim Long, 39, who is a Cranberry native and a 1992 Seneca Valley High School graduate, is a single parent of three children, Ricky, 15, Cody, 13, and Alexis, 11. She is being treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma.

“They (the Longs) showed us so much over the weekend,” Cortazzo said. “They remind us that life can take a drastic change at any time. They show us courage and to keep our priorities in line.”

In addition to money raised by the Cranberry CUP, a resident donated his hotel points and is sending the Longs to Hawaii for a vacation.

Cortazzo said Long still has a lot to go through yet in her treatments, but the trip will be an opportunity to create great memories for her and her three children.

Long said she was overwhelmed by the support of the CUP and the community.

“Never take anything for granted. One day, I'm going to work, just like I did every day, and I got sick,” Long said.

She explained on that day she called her children from the hospital to tell them, “'Mom's got cancer, she's not coming home.' That's hard to tell your children.

I'm overwhelmed by the love, generosity and support and I thank God for everybody here. Because without your help, life would have been so much harder,” Long said.

“God bless all of you, and hugs and kisses to all of you.”

District Judge Dave Kovach, who has been part of the Cranberry CUP, for more than a decade, first as a player, then an umpire and now volunteering at the kickoff party, said when he first got involved, it was personal for him.

The money that year was being raised for the education fund for the children of the late Cranberry officer JoEllen Maughn-Evanson.

“When I'm having a hard day or maybe don't want to get out of bed because my back is aching, I do think about the CUP,” Kovach said. “And I realize how good I have it.”

At the kickoff party, Kovach said he talked with Kim Long and her family, as he has tried to talk to every Inspirational Family before the events.

“Her attitude and expressions are so positive,” he said. “God bless you Kim and your family and good luck.”

During the opening ceremonies, Evans City Police officer Trina Loesch and Dr. Pat Francis of Francis Audiology in Wexford were honored with the Spirit of the CUP Award for their efforts to get a free hearing aid last fall for 94-year-old Sarah Fulton of Evans City, who was robbed of money she was saving to buy a new hearing aid.

Robin Shaffer, CUP board member, presented two $2,000 scholarships this year to Brennan Bench and Alyssa Mehlhorn during the ceremonies.

The CUP not only provides support for its Inspirational Family, but gives out the scholarships and helps less fortunate families in the Seneca Valley School District through the holidays.

The CUP program was instrumental in funding the replacement of Kids Castle, said Bruce Mazzoni, treasurer of the Cranberry Township Community Chest.

The first winners of the Cranberry CUP's inaugural 5K race were Carter Smith in the male division and Megan Rippin in the female division.

The winners of this year's golf outing were Kingsbrook in the neighborhood division and Creese/Smith Accounting in the open division.