Eileen Miller holds a photo of her son, Paul, Jr., inside her East Mountain home.
Tyler Miles Photo / Go Lackawanna
SCRANTON –The family of a fatal car crash victim will hold an event to benefit a scholarship in his memory this week.
A fundraiser for the Paul J. Miller, Jr. Scholarship Fund will be held at the Veterans of Foreign War Post 25, 2291 Rockwell Ave., Scranton, on Saturday, Aug. 6.
The event is named for Paul J. Miller, Jr., A graduate of Lackawanna College and student at East Stroudsburg University who was killed in a car crash on Route 33 in Monroe County, on July 5, 2010. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for ages 5 to 16, and free for children under 5.
Refreshments and live entertainment will be provided, including music from a band comprised of Miller’s friends. Shirts and bracelets will also be sold in his memory be sold as well with the hopes of raising money.
Eileen Miller, Paul Miller’s mother, expects more than 500 guests to attend the event.
“Paul’s birthday is August 3, so it’s a good way to bring everyone together,” said Mrs. Miller, a resident of the East Mountain section of Scranton. “People truly do have hearts and they do really care. Paul’s heart will live on through these scholarships.”
Friends and family described the young man as “a great son, brother and friend.” The family still receives letters and messages almost daily from friends and even strangers who heard his story and are saddened by the tragedy.
“He was very funny and loving. He never went without a smile, that’s what he was known for,” Mrs. Miller said. “You won’t find a picture without him smiling.”
Mrs. Miller, who strongly believes her son was the victim of another distracted driver, has become an advocate for safe driving. She hopes the state legislation will pass a new bill to outlaw distracted driving.
House Bill No. 538 of 2009 already exists to prohibit the use of interactive wireless communication devices while operating a motor vehicle, but Mrs. Miller said the laws against it can go further.
“I’ll take anything that will go into effect against distracted driving. Anything on the books is better than nothing,” Mrs. Miller said. “There’s no stopping me… I’ll go 100 percent.”
One of her goals is to duplicate a driver task force in Monroe County and bring the idea to Lackawanna County. The task force is comprised of members from PennDOT, state representatives, and local law enforcement, according to Mrs. Miller.
“They come together once a month and report on road construction, areas to avoid and where problems and accidents are,” she said. “It’s a bunch of great people all pulling together for the same thing which is safety on the roads.
Mrs. Miller said she’s determined to make people aware of the dangers of distracted driving in honor of her son.
“I just have to do it. I’m in for the long haul,” she said. “I know it’s going to be a long hard process and that it takes time, but that’s OK.”
If you go
What: A Benefit Fundraiser for the Paul J. Miller, Jr. Scholarship Fund
Where: VFW Post 25, 2291 Rockwell Ave., Scranton
When: Saturday, Aug. 6
Cost: Adults – $15, 16 and under – $10, 5 and under – free
More Info: For tickets or information, contact Eileen Miller at (570) 881-1740 or neiner@msn.com