No matter how long they have worked with the clients of God's Love and no matter what they see, Ann and Wayne Miller always believe the best of people. This faith has led them to assist more than 40,000 people in need over the past quarter of a century.

"God has blessed us tremendously," said Ann, who has consistently provided strength and comfort to others in their time of need. "I get at least as much back from what I give, maybe even more," she said of her job as executive director of God's Love, Helena's emergency shelter. "I never feel drained when I go home; this job is a gift."

Both Ann and Wayne hold master's degrees in social work. The two credit their parents and education for instilling in them the moral values and love of God that have inspired them to devote their lives to helping others.

As caring members of the community, the Millers knew there was an unmet need for emergency shelter facilities in Helena, and in 1981 they formed an agency to help individuals in need. Ann recalls distributing $13,000 their first month of operation, mostly to veterans, but also to young mothers who needed clothing or transportation. They were able to open the shelter three years later.

The success of the family's Wayne Miller Coin Shop has helped fund the shelter and its soup kitchen since their inception.

As a youngster, Wayne became interested in his grandfather's coin collection and he frequented a coin store while studying at Carroll College. After working as a state social worker, he started his own home business and within eight years opened his coin shop. Because he was very successful with his business, the Millers decided they should give the funds to the less fortunate.

Ann was 39 years old when God's Love was started, and she will be 65 next month. She says she has enjoyed growing older together with several of the residents -- the longest a man who has stayed at the shelter for 17 years assisting as a dishwasher.

She worked at the shelter for a decade without a salary but then went on the payroll so she could receive insurance and other benefits. She and Wayne both retired in 1994 but greatly missed their work and within four months went back to their jobs.

Most of the Millers' nine children have worked at God's Love at one time or another. Currently, son David serves as the men's shelter manager, and another son, Dan, is the office manager. Daughter Maria wrote and received the grant for the family transitional center.

The Millers say their children all have loving hearts and also work to help others -- as a family therapist, counselor, and foster mother. They also have 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Today, God's Love is able to house 27 men. In 1999, a family transitional center was opened above the shelter to assist nine families. Many of the God's Love's residents continue to be veterans but it increasingly serves the mentally ill, substance abusers and youth who no longer qualify for foster care.

With the help of a HUD grant and matching funds from Lewis and Clark County, God's Love also helps women and families in crisis. The organization receives additional funding from the United Way, Veterans Administration, FEMA, as well as many Helena-area churches, businesses and individuals.

God's Love mens' shelter has an annual budget of $332,000 and the family transitional center another $191,000. Ann is extremely appreciative of new grants and other donations that come along for additional needs.

"There are many wonderful people in this community who care about the homeless. A steady stream of people brings us food and clothing, travel soaps, and even dog food. Every year God thinks up something new to get us through," she said.

Although God's Love keeps up with the community's need for emergency housing, several families in crisis continue to be housed at local hotels when the transition center is at capacity. And often the shelter beds are full and men sleep on couches. It's hard to predict the need, Ann says, adding that she suspects they'll serve many more Iraq War veterans in the near future.

Over the years, Ann says she has given lots of attention to residents through hugs, eye contact and time, and that she has had no problems. It gives her the most satisfaction when former residents come back to the shelter as employees who want to help others.

"Many of the residents have asked me what they can do for me. They call me Miss Ann and treat me like a queen," she said, adding that she has no plans to ever retire. "They'll need to carry me out of God's Love feet first."

Kay McKenna Community Service Award

Ann and Wayne Miller will be presented with the Kay McKenna Community Service Award at the 14th annual Business/Human Service Alliance Luncheon, set for noon on Thursday, May 31, at the Red Lion Colonial Hotel Ballroom.

Also at the luncheon, the partnership between Big Sky Brokers and Big Brothers Big Sisters will be highlighted.

The purpose of the event, co-sponsored by the United Way and Helena Chamber of Commerce, is to help celebrate and encourage the growing alliance between Helena's business and human service organizations.

Reservations may be made by sending names of those attending together with a check for $15 per person to: The United Way of Lewis and Clark County, P.O. Box 862, Helena, MT 59624. For more information, contact the United Way at 442-4360.