ST. MARTIN DEANERY — Instead of new clothes, shoes or the latest bag for her 13th birthday, Marissa Miller wanted something more meaningful than material things. She celebrated becoming a teenager last month and requested canned goods from friends in place of gifts.

"I knew I had enough stuff and I didn’t need any presents," the St. Thomas More seventh-grader said. "It just feels good to help others in the shelter or sitting out in the cold."

COURTESY PHOTO

Marissa Miller, a student at St. Thomas More School, celebrated her 13th birthday by inviting 13 friends to her party and requesting that each bring 13 canned goods instead of a birthday gift. The food items were donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Thomas More Parish.

Miller and her mother discussed ideas for her birthday party, and she told her mom that given the difficult economic times, she wanted to help others.

"She wanted to try to find something different. She’s always doing service projects in the community, especially with the economy and food shelves being bare," Lisa Miller said of her daughter.

As she stacked the donated canned goods during the party she realized how her daughter’s small act of kindness would have a huge impact on those in need. The amount of collected items caught the attention of the young people, she said.

"The whole table was filled with canned goods," said Miller, who has two younger brothers.

Her mother said she was thrilled about the donations from her daughter’s friends and proud she was willing to forego birthday gifts to help others.

"Individually, the kids didn’t realize what a difference they would make until I pulled items out of the bags and said, ‘look what you guys did,’" Lisa Miller said.

St. Thomas More teachers and administrators said they, too, are proud of the teenager and explained that their students are involved in various service projects at school. They say students are just doing their part when it comes to applying Catholic social teaching.

"We have outreach programs that go above and beyond. Marissa knew a lot of people would be hurting this year and figured there was something she could do to help," said Diane Brennan, religious instructor and youth minister of junior high students at St. Thomas More.

Principal Peg Fischer said Miller and other St. Thomas Mores students would bring canned goods in order to attend the school’s Christmas musical that will be donated to a food pantry.

Community service remains a school-wide effort through which junior high students help clean classrooms and closets and pull weeds in the schoolyard during the summer to help administrators and faculty get ready for the upcoming school year.

"The kids get a lot of opportunities to make a difference," Fischer said. "I think they take a lot of pride (in their efforts). It is very satisfying. This makes me feel we’re part of a bigger mission of the church. It’s exciting to see and to take that to heart."

Not only is Miller encouraged at school to help others, but she also comes by her commitment to service from the example from her parents. Lisa and Jeff Miller volunteer their services to the school by videotaping the Christmas musical and being involved with the school’s booster board.

"When I (donated food to help) somebody else it felt good. If (others) did something for someone else, they would feel good too," Miller said. "(God) thinks I’m doing good and it’s good to know He’s up there watching me."