ZELIENOPLE — For the second consecutive year, the Connoquenessing Valley Community Chest exceeded its goal in raising funds for organizations.

The community chest set a goal of $45,000 for its annual fund drive and ended up raising a little more than $58,000, said President Steve Casker.

“We had good showings from local businesses and good showings from a lot of community members who stepped up and made generous contributions,” Casker said.

The donations are divided among the Zelienople Public Library, the Zelienople Community Parks, the Southwest Butler County Food Cupboard, Parents in Toto and the Zelienople, Harmony and Evans City Meals on Wheels.

The community chest divides the money between the organizations based on need. More than 99 percent of the money donated goes to the organizations since the only expenses are for printing and mailing donation forms, Casker said.

Volunteers mail out a newsletter with a donation form to households in the Harmony and Zelienople ZIP codes. They also ask businesses for donations.

The organization will send out a wrap-up newsletter announcing the total raised and thanking the donors.

In 2013, the community chest set a goal of $40,000 and raised a record-high $61,000.

Casker said given the recent successes, it is likely that the board will again raise its goal for the next campaign.

“We always want to push ourselves to do more,” he said.

The annual campaign for donations, which celebrated its 70th year, usually runs from October to February.

For information about the community chest, visit www.cvcommunitychest.com.