Great Idea for Kid's Birthday Parties

I went to a board meeting this week for Homestart and several of the board members that have children shared what they are now doing.  When their son or daughter has a birthday, they set aside what the amount they plan to give them and then split it in half, buying a gift card for a child at our homeless shelter and a gift for their son or daughter.  And on the invitations to the party they ask parents of other children to not bring a gift, but a gift card and tell them they will be given to the homeless shelter for birthday gifts for kids there.  Homestart sends them pictures and a nice thank you note of the children receiving gifts and it means a great deal.  Brian, a board member said that when his son got the photo and thank you note he asked him to frame it and put it on his bedroom wall.