Introduction and Party Invitations

Have you ever wondered how the people at the animal shelter feed all of those dogs and cats? And what about the food bank, where people in need get food baskets? How do they collect so much food? 

They rely on good people to donate most of what they need—and your child can help by holding a charitable birthday party. Sit with your child and have him or her write down a few of the organizations they would most like to help. Instead of exchanging gifts at the birthday party, ask your guests to help your cause instead.

Here Are Some Easy Ways To Help:

• Ask friends to bring dog or cat food for an animal shelter.
• Have friends bring canned or long-lasting food for a food bank.
• Ask friends to bring all the coins they can spare. Provide a huge container where guests can dump their contributions. As part of the party, ask everyone to roll the change and tally up the total that will go to your charity.

Your invitations are important when having a charitable party. The best invitations are handmade with the reason for the party included. For example, if you are raising money for an animal shelter, use pictures of animals; to benefit a local art museum, add stickers of famous artwork.

Have your child carefully explain that instead of gifts you are asking everyone to donate something for a good cause. A sample statement might read: "Instead of receiving gifts, I would like everyone to bring a bag of dog food. I will take all of the bags of dog food to the Main Street Animal Shelter to help feed the stray dogs. I love animals and this is my way of celebrating my birthday and helping dogs without homes."

It is true that you won't get a pile of gifts for this birthday. You will, on the other hand, have a good feeling from taking an idea and seeing it through to the end. By giving up gifts and investing in a project, the charitable party will give you a feeling greater than any toy, game, or thing. And it will last much longer.