| Clinton - In just one evening, more than $67,000 was raised to benefit Lt. Jeff Miller and his family from an event that many say is the largest fundraiser Clinton has ever seen. During the course of three hours, 1,800 pasta dinners were served and more than 200 volunteers contributed their time by cooking, serving meals, seating families and organizing the crowd. "I don't think the town has ever seen anything this size," Clinton Fire Chief Scott Andrews said. "All of us agree that this is one of the biggest things we've ever put on, and obviously for a well deserved family. I couldn't be more pleased with the outpouring of the community. It wasn't just the Fire Department, it was the community."
Members of the Fire Department were joined by the Rotary Club and many other local organizations in planning this large-scale event. The evening included a silent auction, bake sale, ribbon sale, raffle and tee shirt sale in addition to the pasta dinner.
Miller, 29, was diagnosed with a form of kidney cancer late November 2004. He had joined the Fire Department as a junior member, worked his way up the ranks to become a lieutenant, and has served as Assistant Fire Marshal. He is also well known in the community as a family member of Hugh Allen Appliance.
Although feeling the effects of treatment, Miller attended the event with his family, thanking and greeted friends and townspeople as they lined up in the Morgan School cafeteria by the hundreds.
Despite the overwhelming crowds, most attendees waited no longer than five or ten minutes to be served and seated. Department members organized the dinner as they would an emergency, with a central command center and walkie-talkies, Andrews said. Volunteers included members of fire departments from throughout the state, and representatives from 'sister' departments in Clinton, N.J. and Clinton, N.Y. attended the event.
"I don't think [Miller] realizes the effect he had on people. This is by far the largest event the town has ever put on," Andrews said. "The community really came out in force for Jeff and his family."
Donations are still welcome, and can be made in Jeff's name to the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, 35 East Main St., Clinton, 06413. ©Clinton Recorder 2005 |