When 11-year-old Taylor Barth, of Murrysville, saw pictures of bundled-up soldiers and children without shoes in the wintry Afghanistan weather, she decided to do something about it.

She started by cleaning out her own closet and sending her outgrown shoes to U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan through her friend, Kevin Higgins, an Army captain serving there. She even saved some money and bought a couple pairs at the local thrift shop.

Now, with the help of her youth group at Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church in Murrysville, she is conducting a gently-used shoe collection through Sunday.

Shoes sent to the military in Afghanistan are turned over to village elders who distribute them to children in need. Any sizes are acceptable, and monetary donations to help with shipping costs are also appreciated. They can be delivered to the Newlonsburg church office at 4600 Old William Penn Highway.

For more information call 724-327-0061.