SANTA ROSA BEACH — Like many in the community, Sean and Jessica Miller were moved to help the Flemming family, who lost their home in Destin home to a fire Dec. 12.
As Jessica started navigating the multiple donation websites and drop-off locations, she realized someone needed to take charge in organizing the aid flowing in.
Before the couple knew it, Jessica was acting as a “dispatcher,” to direct Sean to pick up donations.
The experience has inspired the Millers to start “Blessings For … ” an organization dedicated to helping people get back on their feet after a fire, hurricane or personal tragedy.
“It’s from our heart,” Sean said. “It’s love.”
The Millers, who live in Santa Rosa Beach, want to be a bridge between the short-term help supplied by the Red Cross and the long-term aid from other agencies. Blessings For … has helped about six families who lost homes to fires since helping the Flemmings.
With an influx of donations from the community, the Millers have supplied victims with food, clothes, furniture, toiletries and more.
They’ve done everything from giving young children beds to ensuring a woman’s much-loved pets were properly cremated after they died in a fire.
Besides supplying material support, the Millers try to provide emotional help. When you’ve lost everything, it’s easy to get into a dark place, Jessica said.
“It’s a chapter of their life, but this isn't their book,” Sean said. “This isn’t their whole story.”
The Millers are working to obtain a 501c3 designation for Blessings For …
“We’re doing what we’ve been called to do,” Jessica said.
In time, they hope to open chapters of Blessings For … in communities throughout the region.
“If you bless others, you’re going to be blessed,” Jessica said.
WANT TO HELP?
Contact Sean Miller at 625-9394 or Jessica Miller at 625-9374 or via email at blessingsfor@yahoo.com. Learn more at www.facebook.com/blessingsfor.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Delgado at 850-315-4445 or ldelgado@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenDnwfdn.