PSEA is a community of education professionals who make a difference in the lives of students every day.
Like many people who suffer a tragedy, Holly Wastler-Miller and Ron Miller spent time wondering “why us?’’
But they feel a Bible verse found in the boot of their son, Ian Joshua Miller, after he was killed in a sledding accident miraculously provided the answer. It inspired them to start a charitable organization, In Ian’s Boots, that has provided footwear for 150,000 people in 37 countries since the accident eight years ago.
“In an odd way, we feel blessed,’’ said Wastler-Miller. “To see the good that has come out of this tragedy is both comforting and rewarding.’’
While PSEA works primarily on behalf of public education and public school educators, the Association is also supportive of various community endeavors and causes. PSEA locals have helped the Chester County-based organization with shoe and boot drives, and with volunteer assistance. At PSEA’s annual Celebrating Excellence Awards dinner at the May House of Delegates, In Ian’s Boots was honored as this year’s top community leader organization.
“PSEA takes enormous pride in its role as a community citizen, and that means supporting and recognizing great organizations and individuals whenever we see terrific work being done,’’ said PSEA Vice President Rich Askey. “Like many of these stories, In Ian’s Boots is one that tugs on the heartstrings.’’
Versed in perseverance
It was the phone call all parents dread.
On a winter night in January 2010, the Millers learned Ian sustained fatal injuries in a sledding accident. At the hospital, medical workers gave his parents a Bible verse they found in his boot. The verse from James 1:2-4 reads:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.’’
“We are people of great faith so we didn’t believe that it was coincidence. First of all it was a Bible verse. Secondly, it was about perseverance,’’ Wastler-Miller said. “We let that cook for a little bit.’’
She and her husband eventually learned that a counselor at a Bible camp Ian attended a week before the sledding accident handed it out to the kids. He told them when they face tough times to draw upon it for strength.
“I’m sure a lot of kids put the cards in their pants pockets and they ended up in the wash,’’ Wastler-Miller said. “For some reason, Ian put his in his snow boot.’’
Lives being touched
The verse in Ian’s boot is now resonating around the world.
When Ian’s soccer team held a tournament in his honor team members asked his parents how they would like to use the proceeds.
“We thought about a scholarship fund, but after praying and thinking about it, we realized we could help a lot more people if we gave away shoes and boots,’’ Wastler-Miller said. “The inspiration, of course, came from the verse in Ian’s boot.’’
The Millers and a small core of volunteers work full time with no salaries to provide footwear around the world. They receive other volunteer help at times from various groups and schools.
In Ian’s Boots accepts new and “slightly used’’ shoes, which come from individual and group donations, including shoe drives conducted by schools and organizations.
Financial donations are also critical as In Ian’s Boots has a 6,000-square-foot warehouse it has to rent and operate, and is chugging along on a cargo van with more than 200,000 miles that Wastler-Miller said is being held together by “bubble gum and Scotch tape.’’
Information on donations is available at the organization’s website, www.iniansboots.org.
“Sure, we lost our only precious child … But we’ve had a chance to get a glimpse of why,’’ Wastler-Miller said. “Through Ian, and what happened to him, and what he left us in his snow boot, we’ve been able to touch lives very significantly.’’
