Three Christmases ago, River Kim had a revelation and made what would be considered a stunning statement coming from most teenagers.

"I told my dad I don't want any presents," says Kim, now a Punahou School senior. "I told him to take the money he would have spent on a present and give it to a charity for the homeless."

Kim's father, Greg, had an even better idea.

"Why don't you try to put together a concert," Greg said, "and then you can raise more money than just one check from me."

Kim, who plays slack key and bass guitar, took the idea and ran with it, the way he does with a football as a Buffanblu receiver.

He formed a committee of eight Punahou students and chaired it along with friend Tierney Morikawa. Over the next several months, the group put together a lineup featuring musicians from Punahou, Moanalua, Farrington, 'Iolani, Kamehameha, Word of Life and Saint Louis, and they enlisted help from Wai'anae's renowned "Searider Productions" to help with audio-visual and promotions.

They organized a silent auction and food booths, then sold tickets to 400 people who eventually showed up at Saint Louis' Mamiya Theater. In May 2004, the inaugural "Malama Jam" kicked off and raised $15,000, which was handed over to the Institute for Human Services.

"My dad was the supervisor, but mostly the whole thing was kid-driven," Kim said. "It showed that kids can make a difference."

Kim, who will wrap up his high school football career in Saturday's finale against Kamehameha, has made a difference for many people at the school he has attended since kindergarten.

As a receiver and kicker, he has been the Buffanblu's "Mr. Clutch" the past two seasons in helping Punahou win its first Interscholastic League of Honolulu football title since 1977, energizing a campus that has taken school spirit to another level.

His field goal with 1:18 left in the game lifted the Buffanblu to a crucial 16-13 victory over Saint Louis last season, and he finished 2004 with 42 catches for 567 yards and four touchdowns. But more important than the quantity of Kim's stats is the quality.

"You can always count on him to come through and make the big play," said Punahou coach Kale Ane. "He's played hurt and exhausted, because we ask him to do so much, but he's always willing to do whatever we need."

At 5 feet 7 and 175 pounds, Kim is not blessed with great size or speed, but his value was universally recognized by coaches last season resulting in Advertiser All-State first-team honors as an all-purpose player.

In street clothes, Kim is even less imposing physically and is so quiet, polite and unassuming, few would guess he is a football standout or talented musician.

"The true value of River is that he's a good person, a well-rounded person," said Pal Eldredge, a teacher who plays alongside Kim in the school's "Holoku" band.

Kim's reach even extends to the elementary school, which he visits on Fridays for pep rallies.

"I remember being young and looking up to the football players," Kim said, "and how much it meant to me for them to say hi."

Kim sets an example in the classroom as well, sporting a 3.9 grade point average and taking advanced placement calculus, environmental studies, level-four Hawaiian language, European history, symphony orchestra and a class called "Plato's Republic."

His college options include Yale, Princeton, Stanford and Notre Dame, and he may try to continue football as a kicker.

But first, there is Division II basketball coming up and planning for the Fourth Annual Malama Jam, which has increased its donation every year. Last May's $20,000 beneficiary was HUGS (Help, Understanding & Group Support for Hawai'i's seriously ill children and their families), and the year before it was the Children's Alliance of Hawai'i, which helps abused children.

"We have to realize how much we have here and share it with people who don't have the same opportunities," Kim said.

Punahou president Jim Scott said Kim "personifies" what the school is trying to teach.

"He does it with quiet humility, and it's genuine," Scott said. "He's a special kid."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.