Claire Butterfield Receives Hodder Family Scholarship

Cranberry Township, Pa. — September 7, 2026 — This year’s Hodder Family Scholarship has been awarded to a fourth-generation firefighter, recognizing the enduring legacy of Tom Hodder, a longtime emergency-services volunteer from Cranberry Township. 

Claire Butterfield, a firefighter with the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company, was honored as this year’s scholarship recipient. The fire company says Butterfield is a fourth-generation firefighter and intends to pursue nursing at PennWest Clarion. 

The scholarship was created in honor of Tom Hodder, a long-standing and lifetime member of the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company. According to township records, Hodder served the community for 48 years, including his work as an EMT and his previous role as vice commander with the Cranberry Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Later in his career, he also served with the fire police. 

The Hodder family remains committed to funding the scholarship to honor volunteer service and inspire the next generation to join the fire and emergency services.