No vacation for students helping homeless

Jayvin Miller-Murphy is getting used to being told "No."

That's the common answer he gets from folks when he asks for donations to help the homeless.

But the 15-year-old is intent on giving back to the community and is motivated by having a close family member who was homeless.

Miller-Murphy and three other Johnson High School students -- most of whom have experienced poverty themselves and get free or reduced lunch at school -- have remained persistent. They have raised $3,000 for St. Paul Project Homeless.

This group, whose members only knew one another from passing in the hall, pulled together to raise money to help restock food shelves.

With the help of their guidance counselor, Dan Kennedy, they've been going house to house and business to business a few days a week since June.

For several Sundays, they helped carry groceries for people at the Kowalski's in Woodbury to earn tips -- they don't solicit, Kennedy says -- and a donation from the company.

All their effort culminates Friday at a $4.99 benefit dinner, after which they plan to turn over the money they earned to Catholic Charities.

"One hundred percent," Kennedy said.

Stacy and Tony Moran, who own TST Creative Catering and Ideal Hall in St. Paul, are donating the space and food for the dinner.

It seems nobody's quite sure where the idea for the project came from, but the four students have been eager to donate their time, Kennedy said.

"To get four kids who said, 'This is my No. 1 priority, I'm going to give 8, 10 hours a day,' when it can be very frustrating," Kennedy said. "It's a very altruistic thing."

It is summer vacation, after all.

"You hear on the news food shelves are low, and I like helping people," said Sompos Mhul, 15, who will be a sophomore this fall.

Arthur Nguyen, 15, who also will be a sophomore, plays tennis and took a class at the University of Minnesota. But he also sets aside time to raise money.

"Doing this is a way to help people," he said.

Pang Lor, 17, who will be a senior, spends a lot of time volunteering at a child care center. At a young age, though, she became concerned about people who don't have homes.

"I decided when I got older I'd do something about it," she said.

The most difficult thing about the project has been the rejection, the teens said.

"I try not to take it personally," Miller-Murphy said. "Everybody is having a rough time, especially with the economy today."

Still, they're happy with the amount of money they've raised and the new friendships they've formed.

Said Nguyen: "It's just nice to help."

Chris Havens • 651-298-1542

ST. PAUL PROJECT HOMELESS

What: All-you-can-eat Italian dinner

When: 6-8 p.m. Friday

Where: TST Creative Catering and Ideal Hall, 1494 Dale St., St. Paul

Cost: $4.99

Why: To benefit food programs for the homeless. All donations go directly to charity.

Info: 651-428-3552