Kevin Meyer, Cranberry Township police chief, and Miranda Larson, a student at Ryan Gloyer Middle School, pose for a photo Thursday. Larson spearheaded a community project to raise money for the Fraternal Order of Police.

While the October attack on Pittsburgh's Tree of Life Synagogue was traumatic and a dark day for the region, the fallout of that event also served as inspiration for a local girl.

Miranda Larson, who turns 13 Saturday, said the actions of first responders Oct. 27, were the catalyst for a community project aimed to raise money for the Fraternal Order of Police Benevolent Fund. Miranda recapped the project Thursday during a meeting of Cranberry Township supervisors.

Miranda said her family lost three friends in the shooting, which made an impact on a personal level. However, she said it was the actions of those arriving on the scene in the minutes after the shooting that stood out.

“Seeing the first responders rush toward the chaos and then later learning their dire condition moved me to act,” she said. “I wanted to help the helpers and raise money specifically for people who risked their lives to stop the bloodshed."

Read more in Sunday's Butler Eagle.