Oct. 4, 2024

On Sept. 24, Miller rode west on Sample Street — 2.5 miles — to his destination outside the South Bend Police Department to hand deliver $500 to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #36 for their Santa's Elficers program. He was out of breath but happy as he pulled up to the police department, set his bike down and politely requested a Coke from an officer who offered to get him a drink. Miller placed a $300 Amazon gift certificate in the hands of Detective Stephanie Northcutt, secretary for FOP #36, and also gave $200 in cash. The money Miller donated was a given to him from multiple family members.

The police department holds special meaning to Miller. His Miller's aunt Dawn Ebesole was the Executive Assistant to the Chief and Director of Special Projects before her retirement in 2023 and his grandfather was former South Bend Mayor Jerry Miller, from 1972-1975, who recently died in May 2024. Mayor Miller was part of hiring 60 officers, each with at least two years of college education, after a new state pension law took effect.

Miller admitted to having some up and down years — contributing that to being on the autism spectrum and living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder — but he said the police department has been there for him during those tough times. 

“It’s really hard,” Miller said about living with autism and OCD. “I’m checking everywhere I go. Emotionally, I’m different. It’s just something I’ve had to kind of accept about myself, but I just try my best every single day.” 

One thing that keeps Miller going is South Bend — a place he’ll always have to call home, he said. 

“I love it here,” he said. “I love meeting new friends and doing good. I just want to give back to the community. It means so much to me to do so.” 

During each ride, Miller’s mom, Kim, drives in a car behind him with the flashers on to make sure he’s safe. Initially scared when he first told her about his plans to bike around the state, Kim was determined to do it alongside her son.

"I worry about him all the time because not everybody wants to share the road," Kim said.

When he nears a highway, the bike goes in the back of the car and Miller rides inside until the next stop.

"He always makes me get the milage," she said, "so he can make it up on the next stop."

Giving back through Santa's Elficers

Miller's goal is to help Santa's Elficers increase the amount of presents given out last year.

The program continues to grow each year with the more community involvement they get, Northcutt said. The more kids that we’re taking care of, the better our program is doing, she said. 

Through applications, police learn a child’s age and gender as well as their needs, wants, likes and dislikes. This way, officers are given guidance to choose items the child will enjoy. FOP #36 created an Amazon wish list with items ranging from blocks and digital cameras to clothes and bedding for the community to purchase. Santa's Elficers provides gifts to children ranging from newborn to 14-years-old.

The wish list remains open year round. Officers were recently able to deliver toys to the affected tenants of the Autumn Lakes Apartment and Townhomes fire.

Last year, the program recieved nearly 1,000 applications — with sometimes multiple children per application, Northcutt said. She anticipates more applications this year and plans to announce when they'll be open on their social media pages.

Nearing closer to the holidays, officers will make home visits to drop off the gifts.

"They get to interact with the officers, they get to have the whole experience ... and the presents are there so they can open them on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day," Northcutt said.