Cassiey Miller, a junior at Depew High School, is at it again, for the second consecutive year.
Last year, she collected thousands of lip balm for all of the branches of the military and sent them overseas as well as to the Veterans Affairs Hospital (VA) in Buffalo. This year, she is collecting VHS’, DVD’s and CD’s until Nov. 11, which is incidentally Veterans Day, at specific drop off locations.

Drop off locations include Family Video, 5211 Broadway, Tops, D&L Plaza on Broadway, Lancaster Presbyterian Church, 5461 Broadway, Depew Boys & Girls Club, 60 Preston, Navy and Army Recruiters Office, Thruway Lanes, Walden Avenue.

Miller first began this initiative because of those around her’s involvement in serving their country in various capacities.

“In seventh grade we were given an assignment to talk about a hero,” said Miller. “I chose my mom’s friend who is in the marines. I grew up with her and I did my project on her and from that point on I just wanted to volunteer and help them out.”

She began with lip balm last year since it is her favorite thing and one of her mother’s friends stationed in Iraq told her that they are in need of it because of the temperature changes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I chose DVDs, VHS’ and CDs this year so that the soldiers could be entertained,” said Miller. “A lot of the soldiers deployed have their laptops out there so they can just pop in a DVD or CD and enjoy.”

Miller obtains the addresses to one specific person from Western New York serving in each branch of the military and sends the products using the post office’s boxes that no matter the weight, they are the same price. That designated person than distributes the products to his comrades.

The extra media will be sent to the VA hospital and coast guard.

“Last year, we had a bunch of left over lip balm, so we thought why not send it to the VA, they could sure use it,” said Miller.

Miller is actively involved in volunteering, within her school and church. She is a member of the Leo Club, Varsity D Club, DECA, a business club, Help Club and plays on the varsity soccer team and is involved with pep band, jazz ensembles, marching band at school, and helps out with the youth group at her church.

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