Will Stimmel, senior at Seneca Valley Senior High School, is collecting and donating shoes to a company that pays him 40 cents a pound. He will donate the earnings to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. Stimmel said it is his senior project. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

CRANBERRY TWP — In the spirit of giving back to a place that gave him so much, Will Stimmel, a senior at Seneca Valley Senior High School, is raising money for UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh through his senior project titled “Will’s Kicks for Kids.”

Stimmel’s project involves a shoe drive where he asks people to donate new or used shoes, which in turn will be donated to developing nations.

“Some people have been amazing, literally dropping off garbage bags and other people who have just dropped off one pair, which is amazing because every pair counts,” Will’s mother Alexis Stimmel said. “I’ll end up calling Will when we get a lot in, and he will wrap them up with rubber bands and put 25 in a bag.”

“They will send a big box truck when the time comes and pick them up,” Alexis said. “They will weigh them all and send them to developing nations. Because it’s a nonprofit they will send the check directly to Children’s.”

Will’s Kick’s for Kids accepts most shoes in any size from gently used to brand new, including cleats and golf shoes.

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