Augusta's Miller Theater was a consistently generous contributor to this community in more ways than can be calculated through ticket sales or the uncounted numbers of Augustans who were entertained and enriched in that still-elegant venue from the time of its 1940 opening until it closed in 1985.

The following stories, originally published in the Nov. 18 and Dec. 21, 1965, issues of the Augusta Chronicle , describe an experience that is just one of many associated with this great theater. It seems particularly apt to revisit it during this season of giving.

Frankie Flores was an incredible 9-year-old who courageously fought the pain of cancer. Augusta's Miller Theater had the good fortune to put a smile on his face. Unfortunately, Frankie lost his battle with cancer but he left an incredible amount of warmth and love that reached many countries.

From The Augusta Chronicle Archives, Nov.18, 1965:

SPECIAL SHOW IS PLANNED FOR AILING AUGUSTA YOUTH

By Bob Gordy

It's not often that a theater has a special showing for one patron. But at 9:30 a.m. Sunday the Miller Theater will do just that.

The guest will be little Frankie Flores, a 9-year-old boy who is incurably ill with cancer. Frankie is also an Elvis Presley fan.

So Sunday he and his friends and classmates last year in third grade of Wilkinson Gardens School will be special guests at the first showing here of Harum Scarum , Elvis' latest film.

Frankie, who had his leg amputated a year ago, will be carried to the theater by an Elliott's ambulance. Arrangements were set up by Jimmy Cartledge, Miller manager.

Since Frankie's story was carried in this paper about 10 days ago, things have been happening fast in the youngster's life.

The story was picked up by the Associated Press, and papers all over the nation printed it.

Since then Frankie has received hundreds of letters and cards. They come from almost all the states in the union and from Mexico and Canada. Evangelist Oral Roberts sent a personal note to the youth.

An autographed baseball arrived from the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. It contained the signatures of pitcher Sandy Koufax and other Dodger players.

Many bibles and crucifixes have also arrived.

Monday, Frankie received a package from Elvis. It contained a large stuffed camel, dozens of pictures and his latest records including music from Harum Scarum . The movie star also sent a Christmas card and a color portrait measuring about 24 by 36 inches.

When Mrs. Beulah Abernathy, a neighbor Frankie calls his adopted aunt, opened the package a smile spread across his face and tears rolled down his cheeks.

"I'm not crying. I'm just happy," he explained.

Wednesday night Trooper Terry of local television fame was scheduled to visit Frankie at his home.

Copies of the Chronicle story on Frankie have gone to Jerusalem, Germany and Walter Reed Hospital in Washington where the youth's leg was amputated.

From December 21, 1965:

FRANKIE FLORES DIED MONDAY

The courageous 9-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Isabel Flores of 2216 Tubman Home Road lost his 15-month battle with osteo-carcinoma, cancer of the bone, only three days before a troupe of entertainers from Nashville's Grand Ole Opry was scheduled to appear in a benefit performance for him at Bell Auditorium.

Frankie's story told last month in the Chronicle touched the hearts of not only Augustans but of people all over the country who read the account via an Associated Press article.

They had responded with cards, visits, calls and gifts of money. Frankie also received a Christmas card, record album and autographed picture from his idol, recording and film star, Elvis Presley, and was treated to a special showing of Elvis' new movie, Harum Scarum, by the management of the Miller Theater.

Bill F. White, owner of the Belridge Kennel in Langley, S.C., presented Frankie with a 6-month-old pedigreed Bassett hound for a playmate.

Evangelist Oral Roberts sent a personal note to the youth, while the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers sent along an autographed baseball.

And Frankie's father, who was unemployed at the time the story first appeared, was given a job by Homestead Draperies of Augusta.

The youngster first complained of pains in his leg about 15 months ago. Tests were run at Fort Gordon Hospital, then at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington. There it was found Frankie had osteo-carcinoma and his leg was amputated to try and cut off the spread of the disease.

Last March Frankie, now wearing an artificial limb, returned to the third grade at Wilkinson Gardens School. After two months' study, he was tested and promoted to the fourth grade.

In July Frankie slipped in his living room and broke an arm.

About two and one-half months ago he became suddenly worse and was rushed back to Ft. Gordon Hospital, but in about three weeks had recovered and was sent home.

Frankie knew he had cancer but was unaware it was incurable.

He remained cheerful, went trick-or-treating on Halloween in a wheelchair and continued to enjoy his favorite pastimes, reading, watching TV, building models and playing with his GI Joe.

Deeply religious, Frankie prayed often for others "who have done wrong" and for his doctors and nurses.

The end came at 2:15 p.m. Monday.

THIS IS BUT one example of a compassionate gesture involving the management and staff of Augusta's Miller Theater over the length of its glorious history as a public venue.

I can't help but think that Frankie Flores would be joining all Augustans in a concerted attempt to save the Miller Theater and to assure its continued viability as a contributor to the culture and good will of this city.

(The writer is a member of Friends of the Miller Theatre.)