- November 25, 2024
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Marvin Miller (right) laughs with his tennis opponent Nancy Burt (left) as everyone watches the video commemorating his life. Photo by Michele Meyers
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood (right) presents Marvin Miller (center) with an official Volusia County Sheriff's office polo shirt with Rabbi Rob Lennick (left), the Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties. Photo by Michele Meyers
Magician Denny Frey performs at "A Night to Remember", a dinner honoring his longtime friend Marvin Miller. Photo by Michele Meyers
Marvin Miller's friends, family and business associates join him at the Oceanside Country Club for "A Night to Remember." Photo by Michele Meyers
Debbie Kruck Forrester and Kenny Miller celebrate at "A Night to Remember" honoring Marvin Miller's lifetime of service and leadership. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mark and Michelle Feldman (left) and Lori and Steve Polito (right) dine together at "A Night to Remember" celebration honoring Marvin Miller at the Oceanside Country Club. Photo by Michele Meyers
Jill and Bill Stephens dance at "A Night to Remember" and celebrate to honor Marvin Miller's lifetime of service and leadership. Photo by Michele Meyers
Magician Denny Frey (left) stands with friend Steve Polito at "A Night to Remember" dinner honoring Marvin Miller at the Oceanside Country Club. Photo by Michele Meyers
Marvin Miller's friends, family and business associates dance as the Dualing Pianos perform at "A Night to Remember". Photo by Michele Meyers
Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington and his wife Lori dance at "A Night to Remember", the celebration honoring Marvin Miller's lifetime of service and leadership in the community. Photo by Michele Meyers
Marvin Miller (left) and his son Matt Miller(center) pose with Rabbi Rob Lennick at "a Night to Remember" dinner celebration. Photo by Michele Meyers
Marvin Miller (right) hangs out with Janine (left) and Joe Bielinksi (center) at the dinner celebration of his lifetime of service and leadership. Photo by Michele Meyers
Ormond Beach Zone 4 City Commissioner and Deputy Mayor Harold Briley presents Marvin Miller with a key to the city of Ormond Beach at "A Night to Remember". Photo by Michele Meyers
Ormond Beach Zone 4 City Commissioner and Deputy Mayor Harold Briley presents Marvin Miller with a key to the city of Ormond Beach at "A Night to Remember". Photo by Michele Meyers
Ormond Beach Zone 4 City Commissioner and Deputy Mayor Harold Briley presents Marvin Miller with a proclmation and a key to the city of Ormond Beach at "A Night to Remember". Photo by Michele Meyers
Jewish Federation of Vousia & Flagler Counties Executive Director Rob Lennick shows off the new t-shirts for Jerry Doliner Food Bank's volunteers at "A Night to Remember". Photo by Michele Meyers
Ormond Beach City Commissioners Harold Briley (right), Susan Persis (second from right) and Lori Tolland (second from left at table) give Marvin Miller a standing ovation at "A Night to Remember" celebration honoring his service and leadership. Photo by Michele Meyers
Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington honors Marvin Miller with a proclamation and city key for a lifetime of humanitarian service, generosity and leadership. Photo by Michele Meyers
Ormond Beach Zone 3 City Commissioner Susan Persis awards Marvin Miller with his city proclamation for his service. Photo by Michele Meyers
Longtime Ormond Beach resident Marvin Miller is 89 years young.
The president of the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties said that, while his birthday is March 20, he explains to anyone who asks that March is his birth month and he celebrates it in its entirety.
Rabbi Robert Lennick, the executive director of the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties, spearheaded a “A Night to Remember” to honor Miller and his contributions to humanity. Oceanside Country Club did not have Miller’s birthdate available, but were able to schedule the event on Saturday, March 30.
Just within his birth month.
In true Miller fashion, the night was organized to commemorate his tireless efforts and also promoted as a fundraiser. Proceeds went toward renovating the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Cultural Center. Miller chose $89 as the entry fee to pay homage to his age and invited 170 people.
It sold out in a few days. Oceanside then opened up another area, to accommodate another 42 people, and that also sold out within days.
We get to see things that maybe the rest of the community doesn’t get to see. One of those is the amazing impact that someone like Marvin Miller and the Jewish Federation have in a positive way for our community. That’s why it’s such an honor to recognize Marvin and to call him a friend." — Bill Partington, Ormond Beach Mayor
“It was a wonderful evening,” Miller said. “I was very apprehensive about the event because my name is on it. We’ve had events and if we get 50% (attendance), we’re happy. I was hoping everyone would come. They have so much going on. Only two did not show.”
Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington and City Commissioners Harold Briley, Lori Tolland and Susan Persis surprised Miller by honoring him with a proclamation and a key to the city of Ormond Beach.
Partington thanked Miller for always being there for him.
“We get to see things that maybe the rest of the community doesn’t get to see,” Partington said. “One of those is the amazing impact that someone like Marvin Miller and the Jewish Federation have in a positive way for our community. That’s why it’s such an honor to recognize Marvin and to call him a friend.”
Partington presented the proclamation in Miller’s honor, on behalf of the City Commission. He proclaimed March 30, 2024, as a day to recognize and celebrate Miller for his lifelong commitment to humanitarian service, generosity and leadership.
“His dedication to service is an inspiration to others, encouraging them to find ways to give back and make a difference in the world around them,” Partington read. “Through his actions and commitment, Marvin exemplifies the values of selflessness, patriotism and community spirit that are essential for a thriving society.”
Miller continues his drive to help those in need. Being a U.S. Army veteran, and, having four brothers who also enlisted in the military, fuels Miller’s desire to support veterans. He takes daily 2.5-mile vigil walks over the Granada Bridge with local veterans group, Ormond Strong. He also runs the Jerry Doliner Food Bank and has partnered with Ormond Strong to take food to Barracks of Hope, which is transitional housing for homeless veterans.
Miller ran the Jewish Federation for over a year following the death of former Executive Director Gloria Max in 2021. Lennick arrived 18 months ago to take over the executive position. Miller said he ran it as a business professional and Lennick brought much-needed experience and perspective as an executive director.
“He lent a whole different aspect that we needed and didn’t have,” Miller said. “He became a perfect fit. He has an attribute that not too many people have — he’s a good listener and has a nice, easy-going personality.”
He said Lennick was instrumental in fulfilling one of his goals: Miller had always wanted to bring local synagogues together to discuss what is happening in their communities, talk about national and international news, learn about programs they are running and to help where there is a need. Currently, rabbis from several local temples meet at the Jewish federation every four to six weeks.
“That’s one of the things that I was trying to achieve and Rob pulled that together,” Miller said. “He’s amazing. I feel like we’re the hubcap in a wheel with the spokes coming out. We deal more with what is going on with the community. We can help keep the temples in tune. That’s one of the things I really marvel at. I started it and he made it happen professionally.”
Lennick said that when he and his wife Loretta arrived in the area, they realized they had moved to the most welcoming and warm community they had ever encountered. He said many people have touched them along their journey here.
“But I could not imagine that I would meet and grow to love and respect such an extraordinary person,” Lennick said. “A person of character who also is a character. A person of incredible warmth and caring. A person who is a role model in so many ways. A person who will tell you like it is with a smile. A man for all seasons — namely, Marvin Miller."
