'I will request that half of the people coming to my son's next birthday party give to a charity of my selection rather than bring a present.'

Pledge “altbirthday”

"I will request that half of the people coming to my son's next birthday party give to a charity of my selection rather than bring a present. but only if 5 other local people will do the same."

— Lindsey Parsons (contact)

Deadline to sign up by: 15^th December 2008
3 people signed up, 2 more were needed

Country: United States
Place: Tallahassee (view map)

More details
Before Max was born I thought I'd follow the 10 toy rule - he would own no more than 10 toys at any one time. If he were to receive more, he'd have to give others up. Well as you all know, we've not only not done that, but he has heaps of toys like every other kid, many that he never touches. And given the sequence of Christmas followed by his birthday on New Year's Eve, the quantity of stuff he gets in such a short time is absurd. I just don't feel this consumerism is right when there are kids dying around the world for lack of money/food/appropriate medical care, etc.

I've suggested to Doug that people donate to charity rather than bring presents to his birthday party, but he thinks people will find that all too weird. So I figure, why not go half and half? If your last name begins with A-M, bring a gift, N-Z, donate to charity, or something like that. And Max is okay with it too. And this way, if other people in the area agree to do it as well, Doug can't accuse me of being weird, not to mention all the money we'll raise for charity.

Will you please join me in pledging to do this for the next birthday party you have for your child?

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