OGDENSBURG – The St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging recently held a reunion reception for the residents of Riverview Towers in Ogdensburg who were displaced from the fire at the towers in March 2022.

The residents wanted a chance to be reunited with the first responders and volunteers who helped them during such a tragic and frightening event. More than 50 residents, volunteers and first responders joined the celebration at the Dobisky Center for food, drinks and laughter.

During the event, Office for the Aging Director Andrea Montgomery presented a new Community Spirit Award created by her office. The award is named the John B. Miller Jr. Community Spirit Award and its inaugural recipient is John B. Miller Jr.

Miller is a beloved teacher at Ogdensburg Free Academy and was one of the first to arrive at the staging area to offer support. Miller immediately took charge to organize the emergency response for the displaced residents. He led the efforts to move the residents to the emergency shelter at Wadhams Hall and stayed there over the course of the next 10 days helping to provide the fire victims with food, comfort, support, entertainment and access to needed services.

John B. Miller Jr. embodies the term community spirit through his leadership, compassion, integrity and vision. The Office for the Aging was honored to create an award in John’s name that will be given out annually to others who exemplify what it means to be a good human.