Children’s birthday parties typically consist of food, fun and plenty of gifts.

But last week, 9-year-old Lawrence resident Branden Patterson broke that trend at his birthday party. Branden asked his guests to bring money and household items that could be donated to local social service agencies – rather than gifts for the birthday boy.

“We saw in the paper that Salvation Army needed some stuff for the people so I just thought of donating to them instead of having presents,” said Branden, who will be a fourth-grader this fall at Langston Hughes School.

From the more than 15 guests in attendance, Branden collected close to $200 in checks, cash and household necessities. Branden’s parents, Norman and Suzie Patterson, gave him the option of donating to one charity or splitting the items into two different organizations.

Branden chose the latter.

Tuesday morning, he presented the collected donations to both Lawrence Salvation Army and Penn House.

“It made us feel good,” Branden’s father said. “I thought it was awful sweet of him to do something like that.”

The young philanthropist will continue finding ways to give to those in need.

“I felt really happy, and I just wanted to do it again next year,” he said.