Key Member Spotlight: Weegie & Carl Miller
Since 2014, Emily (better known as “Weegie”) & Carl Miller have provided monthly financial support for our work to end homelessness! Last year, we formed “The Key”, our group of monthly givers to better recognize community members like the Millers who make our work possible. We reached out to Weegie and Carl to learn more about them and their commitment over the years to ending homelessness in this community.
Miriam’s House (MH): There are so many great nonprofits in the community. Tell us what made you choose to support Miriam’s House?
Weegie & Carl: Miriam’s House is one of several charities we contribute to on a monthly basis and have done so for a number of years. We set aside X number of dollars yearly and divide it between foreign and domestic organizations and then try to respond to intermittent emergencies caused by natural events. We chose Miriam’s House because of our exposure to homelessness as nurses living in Lynchburg. Over the years, we’ve given both financial and material aid.
MH: Why do you choose to give monthly?
Weegie & Carl: We give monthly in recognition of an ongoing need and because it’s easy.
MH: Anything else you would like to share with the broader community to inspire them to join The Key?
Weegie & Carl: Obviously, no one can give to all charities in need, but we feel it is important for people that are fortunate in their lives to show gratitude for that good fortune and share. Miriam’s House is certainly worthy of consideration for that purpose.
Altruism is not our motivation for these efforts, but rather a somewhat selfish understanding that to not help others, contributes to making our world an uglier place for us personally. We’re all in the same ocean, but we’re not all in the same boat. Some of us are on yachts and some of us are on rafts.
When not helping to end homelessness in Lynchburg, Where can we find you?
Weegie & Carl: Most winters we spend a month or two in Mazatlán, Mexico. While there, we work at a church that provides food and other necessities to people who scavenge in the city dump. We also work at their local animal shelter.
Members of The Key, like the Millers, have committed to financially supporting Miriam’s House through a donation amount of their choosing. This support ensures that hundreds of homeless families and individuals are given not only the physical key of a home but keys to independence, opportunity, and safety. Weegie and Carl along with this transformative group of givers are empowering individuals and unlocking homes and hopes for our most vulnerable neighbors, and we are so grateful.