County residents will have two opportunities this week to help out good causes simply by having fun.

Cranberry Township’s Community Days return this summer after being canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic last year. The event, which runs from Thursday through Saturday at Community Park, will include a number of carnival games, live music, pickleball training workshops and other activities.

Although admission is free, proceeds gathered through vendors and sponsors will go toward the Cranberry Township Community Chest’s 2022 Project of the Year, which has not yet been chosen.

Just before 6 p.m. on Thursday, the township will hold an opening ceremony for the renovated Rotary Amphitheater, the Community Chest’s most recent project of the year.

Then, on Saturday afternoon, the Penn Township Volunteer Fire Department Mega Cruise will be held at the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport.

This event, which was also canceled last year because of COVID-19, is also free, but a $2 donation is requested to cover the fire department’s expenses involved in operating the event as well as toward training and equipment at the department.

Both events are great opportunities for county residents to get out and see their neighbors while taking part in fun activities that need your support this year after a hiatus in 2020.

They both also serve good causes. Community Days goes toward a project of the year that involves input from community members and benefits everyone in the township.

The newly renovated amphitheater, for example, will provide an improved space not only for concerts and other performances, but will also act as a gathering place for the community.

And money raised from the Mega Cruise will provide a little extra funding to the fire department at a time when many departments across the state are struggling to find volunteers, pay staff or upgrade equipment.

Giving a donation to take part in the cruise can lead to improvements to the department that will keep your community safer.

“Most of the people have no problem with the (donation), and I have to say many people give a little more — it’s for a good cause,” said Ken Shoemaker, the event’s coordinator and vice president of the fire department.

It certainly is, and we hope both events get support that, in turn, allows them to provide important services to the community.

— NCD