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Golf outing fundraiser to celebrate life of 'J-Mill'

by jmaloni
Mon, Jul 18th 2011 02:35 pm

by Tiffany Hyman

Caring, loving, passionate, intelligent, tenderhearted, kind. These are just a few of the many adjectives that can be used to describe the incredible person that Jonathan Miller was, according to his parents, friends and co-workers. Miller, known as "J-Mill," was a Lewiston native who tragically passed away while driving on Nov. 15, 2009. He was just 17 years old and a senior at Lewiston-Porter High School at the time.

"People were so enthralled by his life," said Jeannine Miller, Jonathan's mother. "He was such an inspiration to all."

"We couldn't have been prouder of him," added father Kevin Miller. "He had such a big heart."

"J-Mill was one of those types of employees you never had to ask to do anything twice," added Steve Matthews, general manager of Brickyard Pub and BBQ, where J-Mill worked for more than two years. "He was really great."

"He was such a good kid," added co-worker Chris Baldassarre.

Imagine this -- finding out there is a way to help your child's legacy live on, even after his passing. The Millers and Brickyard are trying to do just that by hosting a golf outing memorial in his memory.

The second annual J-Mill golf outing will take place Monday, Aug. 15, starting at 9 a.m. at the Niagara Frontier Country Club, 1058 Lake Road in Porter. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and golfing at noon with a shotgun start.

Guests can enjoy a day of food, beverages and, of course, golf to remember the beloved Lew-Port student. Dinner will take place at 5 p.m. where guests will have the choice between chicken, beef or salad. The cost is $35.

"It's a way to carry on the legacy he embraced," said Jeannine. "It's very community-oriented."

"The main reason to have this golf outing is to keep his memory alive and keep his name alive," said Kevin. "It's a great way to show support to someone who gave into the community."

"It's for such a great cause," added Matthews. "We (at Brickyard) are big believers in what goes around comes around."

"People should participate to exemplify what J-Mill created himself," said Baldassarre.

Two of J-Mill's greatest pastimes were volunteering and giving to others. In order to fulfill his legacy, all the donations from the outing will be given back into the community to non-profit organizations and to the J-Mill Scholarship, presented by Lew-Port High School.

"The outing is a great way to keep the community reminded by the importance of giving," said Jeannine.

In addition to being a football player, "life of the party," family man and well-rounded student, who was supposed to study criminal justice at Niagara University, J-Mill has had a large impact on the community. Lew-Port painted a wall modeled after him, named their senior lounge J-Mill and retired his football jersey number.

"He had such a big impact on everyone around him," said Jeannine.

Local residents are invited to partake in the event to be held at the Niagara Frontier Country Club in Porter. To donate a prize or gift basket, contact (Kevin) Miller, 946-8289 or email [email protected] or Baldassarre, 940-6202 or [email protected]. Checks for sponsoring can be made payable to Brickyard Pub & BBQ, 432 Center St., Lewiston, NY 14092, by July 31. Any sponsorship opportunities, no matter how big or small, are greatly appreciated.

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