Lecompton Elementary School student Sugar Magnolia McIntyre proudly displays items she donated to the Jefferson County Humane Society, in lieu of birthday presents.

There’s been a warm and fuzzy trend at Lecompton Elementary School recently: kids dispensing with birthday gifts in favor of contributions to charities.

At their birthday parties this past year, several generous third-graders asked that guests choose their gifts with the selected charitable organization in mind, or make a monetary donation in lieu of presents.

“They just kind of do it of their own volition, and it’s taken off,” said Zac McIntyre, whose daughter Sugar Magnolia made her birthday donation to the Jefferson County Humane Society.

“It just felt right,” said Sugar Magnolia, an animal lover who is also fostering kittens from the humane society.

For her dad, it’s been a moving experience to witness kids’ generosity in action.

“It’s amazing that they have such big hearts in their little bodies and stepping up on their own,” he said.

Ali Low poses with an array of items she donated to the Lawrence Humane Society.

Sugar Magnolia is not the only one to give her birthday gift to animals in need. Third-grader Ali Low made a similar donation to the Lawrence Humane Society.

“I chose the humane society because I want to help save animals, especially dogs,” Ali said. “I love dogs and don’t want to see them go extinct.”

Ali said she wasn’t sure yet whether she would commit to forgoing her birthday next year.

“Maybe every other year,” she said with a wry smile. “We’ll have to see if I need anything next year.”

Ali’s mother, Emily Low, said it was an educational experience all around.

“When she said she wanted to donate for her birthday, it started as looking at organizations and not-for-profits within our community and researching that,” Emily Low said. “So it was fun to find out the needs of the different organizations.”

She added that it’s been fascinating to witness the process evolve.

“It’s been fun to watch what kids are picking for their donations, and to see their personality come out in what they picked,” she said.

Classmate Aubrey Ediger chose Just Food for her charitable contribution. Aubrey asked for food items in advance and, with the help of her friends, delivered the items to the food bank. Aubrey’s mother, Kathy Ediger, was equally impressed with her daughter’s charitable inclination.

“She wanted to help people who were hungry and in need, and I was super proud of her for recognizing the need that is out there, and to help her community as well,” she said.

Elina Alterman, director of development and communications for the Lawrence Humane Society, said that the kind of generosity displayed by the Perry-Lecompton students is prominent in the community.

“Whether it’s something they’re coming up with on their own — or if it’s by osmosis from their community or household,” she said. “They’re picking up this idea of giving back.”

Alterman said that local students have also organized donation drives for the shelter — coming equipped with treats, toys and other animal supplies. Every act of generosity is meaningful, Alterman said, as she recounted a 50-cent donation made by a child.

“It brought tears to my eyes and made other staff members cry,” she said, adding that a letter is distributed following each donation, explaining its positive impact for the shelter. “It’s easy to think that a donation doesn’t matter, but it does.”