Cranberry kicks off charity event
CRANBERRY TWP — Volunteers darted across the banquet hall in Cranberry Highlands Golf Course to make final arrangements ahead of the 24th annual kickoff party for the Cranberry Community Uniting People (CUP) on Friday, where philanthropy and long-standing friendships were on display throughout the evening.
“We’re all here because we help our community members,” Cranberry CUP vice president Robin Shaffer said. The Cranberry CUP — which includes golf, softball, cornhole tournaments and more — raises money for families in need, including an “Inspirational Family” named each year by the board of directors.
Anywhere between 300 to 375 people could be expected to come in and out the door, Shaffer said before the event. Nearly all the fixings — from the food to the decor to the plates and silverware — were donated by board members, volunteers, business sponsors and restaurants, she said. Each year, Shaffer added, the event takes months to organize.
Proceeds will go toward supporting the Forsyth family of Cranberry Township. Bertram “BJ” Forsyth, 46, died in a crash on Dec. 4, near the intersection of Route 19 and Ehrman Road. Police said Forsyth’s vehicle was struck by an alleged drunken driver.
“He was the main breadwinner. They were just moving into their home,” Shaffer said. “They were just getting things together, and he’s gone. So we step in, and we just lift her emotionally with the community — spiritually, emotionally, financially.”
Since the inception of the organization, Cranberry CUP has raised about $2.2 million for families in need, she said.
“We are the bridge of support while they are dealing with their grief,” said Shaffer.
“We say anybody’s life can change in the blink of an eye ... circumstances change. And that’s where people nominate people to be in the Cranberry CUP. We see what their needs are.”
This year, the Cranberry CUP has supported four beneficiaries, Shaffer said. Contrary to popular belief, support doesn’t look like a one-time check; the organization meets the distinct needs of beneficiaries and provides ongoing support as long as they need it.
“They’ve supported us through the hardest time in our lives,” said Jennifer Forsyth, widow of Bertram Forsyth, and mother to Emma, 15, Ko, 19, and Brayden, 22. “They’ve taken care of us emotionally. They’ve been here and supported us and the sense of community that we didn’t even know existed before this — it’s been incredible.”
“We are forever thankful and we hope one day we can just pay even a little of this back ... pay it forward,” Forsyth said.
She shared that she and her family had made the move to Cranberry Township in search of better opportunities for their children.
She said strangers and people from her neighborhood, Crossroads Church, Cranberry CUP, Seneca Valley School District, clients from her dog-walking business and other community members have supported her family since they made the move, and through her husband’s untimely passing.
Community members raised approximately $50,000 for her family through GoFundMe, she said.
District judge Kevin Flaherty, who attended the event and performed with local band 56 East, said what struck him the most about Friday’s kickoff was the Cranberry community. It’s lively, he noted.
“Community participation is something you can say about Cranberry across the board,” Flaherty said.
The Cranberry CUP will continue Saturday with an opening ceremony and a memorial cornhole tournament on Sunday.
