Last year, they helped a man with multiple sclerosis whose wife had died unexpectedly, contributed to a ball field for handicapped children, pitched in toward medical expenses for a local football coach's son, and bought Christmas presents for poor children.

This year, the Cranberry Community Uniting People -- better known as the Cranberry CUP -- is reaching out to a family headed by a father on a heart transplant list and a mom who also is medically disabled. And that's just to start.

It all began nine years ago, when Cathy Cortazzo of Cranberry was inspired to organize a neighborhood softball tournament to benefit the community.

Since then, nearly a half-million dollars has been raised and the township and surrounding area has benefited from an event that "really builds a spirit of community,'' as township Supervisor John Skorupan described it recently.

This year's CUP will be held Aug. 1, 2 and 3, beginning with a golf outing Aug. 1 at Cranberry Highlands, and daylong softball games Aug. 2, followed by championship games Aug. 3.

Games primarily are played at the Cranberry Community Park on Route 19 but also are held on fields in Seven Fields and Marshall.

The "inspirational family" -- the name by which the CUP organizers refer to their primary recipient -- will be transported at 10 a.m. Aug. 2 by medical helicopter to the football field at Cranberry Community Park.

In its first year in 2000, only a handful of teams competed. This year, there will be at least 36 Cranberry neighborhood teams plus two dozen open division teams, sponsored by neighborhoods in Seven Fields and Marshall, as well as by businesses and civic groups. Since the beginning, about $475,000 has been raised.

Last year, the Robert Giebel family, of Zelienople, was assisted by the Cranberry CUP, which paid off the mortgage on the family home. There are three children in the household. Also, a garage on the property was repaired and a roof on the house was replaced.

Ms. Cortazzo, the president of the Cranberry CUP board of directors, said the board evaluates applicants for the program from throughout the Seneca Valley School District area.

Last year's event raised about $115,000. In addition to helping the Giebel family, funds also were directed to the family of Seneca Valley head football coach Ron Butschle and his wife, Kelly, to help their 1-year-old son Nate, who was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a rare blood disease primarily affecting children. The treatment is similar to that for cancer. Nate's doctors are exploring treatment alternatives available in Texas.

Also last year, Christmas gifts were purchased for two financially struggling families and $25,000 was donated to the creation of a Miracle League ballfield at the new Cranberry Graham Park.

This year's inspiration family is the Steinmetz family, of Jackson. Emil Steinmetz, 44, father of three and a volunteer fireman with the Harmony Volunteer Fire Company, is on the waiting list for a heart transplant.

His wife of 23 years, Kim, is disabled from fibromyalgia and she also suffers with osteoarthritis and depression. She had worked for Mellon Bank. He was an electrician and had worked for Armstrong Cable Co. They have three children, Kurt, 22, Emil, 20, and Kayla, 17. The family also struggled through the loss of their home in the September 2004 floods. They currently rent in Jackson.

Ms. Cortazzo said the Butschle family may be helped again this year, depending on funds raised. And plans are in the works for Home Depot to construct a ramp at the Cranberry home of a 7-year-old girl who is disabled from a nerve disease.

The Cranberry CUP raises money through registration fees, raffle ticket sales, corporate sponsorships and contributions. More information can be obtained by visiting the group's Web site at www.cranberrycup.org.

The major sponsors of this year's effort is Northwest Savings Bank, Armstrong and Guardian Protection, and Park Place.