News

November 22, 2009

Craft fair to benefit Miller family

Funds from event featuring 13 area vendors will help loved ones of local state trooper slain in line of duty.

RALPH NARDONE Times Leader Correspondent

PITTSTON TWP. – About 13 vendors set up their displays on Saturday at the Italian-American Citizens Club in Pittston Township to do business and support the family of Joshua Miller, a local state trooper who was slain in the line of duty.

Organized and run by people with a like-minded compassion for the family, the vendors displayed an array of quality handmade crafts, gourmet foods, specialty jewelry and homemade baked goods with a portion of the proceeds going to the Miller family.

Miller, who lived in Pittston Township, was gunned down at the age of 34 during his attempt to apprehend a kidnapping suspect. The trooper left behind a wife and three young daughters.

Lila Chesnick from Dupont, who has known the Miller family for years, decided the fair was a good way to help them in their time of grief and loss. After making sure the Millers did not have any objections, she contacted her craft fair friends to ask them to participate.

She said Miller’s wife and sister expressed their appreciation for volunteer efforts.

“We wanted to do whatever we could,” Chesnick said. She could not speculate how much money would be generated but assured when the final tally is done, a check will be sent to the Miller family.

Chesnick extended her thanks to the vendors who were willing to participate without any objections. “No one refused,” she said. “We really appreciate their (willingness) to give up their time to help,” she added.

Tennielle Vocchiaro, of Forty Fort, set up her display of Lia Sophia jewelry. She said she did not know Trooper Miller personally but was aware of the tragic story of his death. She saw the craft fair as a worthy charitable event.

Gail Boylan and Peg Randazzo said they could relate to the anguish felt by families who lose members serving in law enforcement or military. Boylan, of Pittston, who was selling all natural foods, has a son who served in Iraq as a military policeman. Randazzo, who was selling handmade jewelry, had a family member serve during Operation Desert Storm.

Both women know how it feels to have someone work in harm’s way, Boylan said. They were fortunate to have their family members return home unharmed, she said.

Donna Koytek from Moosic, aired similar sympathies, adding the Miller family lost their “life support.” She displayed her handmade line of crafts, including tissue box holders and insulin packets.

Koytek was struck by the way Miller lost his life “early and unfairly” while doing his job. She lost a nephew in a motorcycle accident and knows the sorrow and heartache.

Denise Sult, of Harveys Lake, said she’s known Chesnick for many years through the craft fair circuit. She also had some familiarity with the Miller family.

When contacted by Chesnick, Sult said she was “anxious to do it.”

Sult has a son who served in law enforcement. She pointed out anyone who has family members who work in that field are “all at risk.”

Chesnick was pleased with the turnout at the fair. She does not know if she will organize any other charity craft fairs at this time. She looks forward to presenting the check to the Miller family in time for the holiday season.

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