Help the Millers|missing Cdn hiker

Paul Miller is the Canadian hiker who went missing July 13th while hiking in Joshua Tree National Park. His rental car was found in the lot that day. Sadly, an extensive search over 5 days by up to 90 volunteers, 2 helicopters and multiple sets of search & rescue dogs found no other trace of him. His friends and family are understandably devastated and dealing with many unknowns.

If Paul is not found, his paychecks will end in a few short weeks.  Paul earns the primary income for the household and supported his wife when she returned to school to become a teacher. With no answers regarding Paul's whereabouts and condition, it is likely insurance policies will not be accessed for many years. This campaign is intended to raise funds for his wife, Stephanie and their children. We walk alongside the Miller family while the search for Paul  in Joshua Tree National Park in California continues.

THE STORY:
"An avid hiker from Guelph, Miller, 51, and his wife were vacationing in the desert last week in celebration of their 26th wedding anniversary.  They were getting ready to check out of their hotel room in Twentynine Palms the morning of July 13, but he wanted to take one more hike in hopes of spotting – and photographing – some bighorn sheep, so he headed for the 49 Palms Oasis trail in Joshua Tree National park.  It was around 9 a.m. that he said goodbye to his wife, and drove off to Joshua Tree National Park. ... At noon, when she still had not heard from him, (she) called park officials who had a search team in place by 12:30 p.m.  Miller’s car, a rental he and his wife had picked up in Las Vegas, where they started their vacation, was found at the 49 Palms Oasis trailhead. But that’s all. There have been no other traces of Miller – no footsteps, empty water bottles. No sunglasses or camera parts to indicate he may have fallen somewhere."
                                                                                                                    -excerpt from Desert Sun, Sherry Barkas 

The Joshua Tree National Park conducted an thorough and extensive search for Paul. At its peak, it included 90+ trained, volunteer searchers, multiple K-9 units and 2 helicopters from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. On the 5th day of the search, the rangers notified Paul's wife that the search effort was not sustainable at the current level and would need to be scaled back. They were then in a limited continuous search mode. “During this phase, searchers will continue to methodically search areas of high probability when sufficient resources are available,” park spokesman George Land said July 18th. (source ) Paul's wife, along with a cousin and friend of Paul's who had both flown to California to support her, returned to Guelph, ON July 18th.  She was reunited with her children and surrounded by a community who loves and supports the family.  We all hope Paul returns to them soon.

In an effort to support Paul's family (wife and 2 children) in Guelph, ON we have launched this campaign as close friends to the family.  It is evident that they have many weights on their hearts right now, and we are asking for your help to remove any financial burden and stress for them as they dive into this unknown future.

Paul's wife, Stephanie Miller, is the beneficiary of this campaign, use of the funds to support herself, the family household and their children will be at her discretion.  We all love them, and we want them to be able to deal with this tragic situation in anyway that is helpful to them.

PLEASE HELP BY:
- donating any amount you are able to, it all adds up
- sharing this campaign widely (Facebook, twitter, email, word of mouth)

FUNDS MAY BE USED TO:
- support household expenses in the absence of Paul's income
- cover the travel costs of family and friends who supported his wife during the high profile search of Joshua Tree National Park and/or travel for his family to revisit the location
- cover medical expenses for Paul in the event he is found unwell

Thank you for showing your love and support for the entire Miller family.



MEDIA COVERAGE
Palm Springs Desert Sun News, July 14th  (updated on the 18th) 
Desert Sun, July 16th  (updated on the 18th) 
CBC Video Clip, July 17th 
CTV Toronto Video Clip, July 17th 
Desert Sun, July 18th 
Desert Sun on our continued hope, July 21st 
CTV on prayer rally, July 22nd