A 'run-derful' fundraiser

CASTALIA — Members of the Castalia community continue to make strides in support of the Miller family. Many area residents participated in a relay to raise money for The Connor Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund, which was created in memory of Connor Miller, 13, a Margaretta Schools student, who passed away last year in a car accident along with his father, Joseph Miller, 41, and grandfather, Richard Miller, 67. Participants took over the high school's track on Sunday. This event and the scholarship are thanks to Morgan Miller, an upcoming eighth-grade student at Margaretta Schools. She is not related to them but said she is friends with Connor's sister, Haley, and his mother, Jena, was her Girl Scout leader in elementary school. "Connor had a strong faith in God and loved football, swimming and his family," Morgan said. "He was always trying to make people laugh whether it was with a goofy comment and just his big smile." She, along with support from the Polar Bear Swim Club and the Margaretta cross country team, created the fundraiser in Connor's name. "Connor always wanted to become an electrician, so we used this fundraiser to start the Connor Miller Memorial Scholarship," Morgan said. "This scholarship will honor Connor's memory and help others prepare for their future careers." This event was hosted as a way to honor Connor a year after his passing. "The relay went well," Morgan said. "It brought the Margaretta community together to remember Connor and the lasting impact he made on others." At the relay, teams of four people had to keep one person on the track through the night. Teammates wore a pedometer to track their mileage and the top three teams with the longest distance won a prize. The organizers took the memorial aspect of the event a step further and invited everyone in attendance to walk a lap in memory of Connor at the top of every hour while memories of him were read. Margaretta Schools announced on its social media that the total amount raised for the scholarship was nearly $5,000. Morgan said 17 teams participated and estimated more than 200 community members showed support through the night. "It means so much to me and to Connor's family," Morgan said. "God has blessed us with an amazing community who always go out of their way to show their love and support of others. We thank them for helping to make this event successful." There is still time to support the family. Online donations will be collected through this Sunday, July 20, or drop-off donations can be given to the district's board of education office, 305 S. Washington St., Castalia.