Party Planning II

So, I guess I have parties on my mind lately! I have been thinking for awhile of what I want to do for my boys with their birthdays this year. My youngest (turning 1) we will probably just have our small little family celebrate together. However, my oldest is turning 3 and actually has an idea of what's going on, so I would love to do something fun and special! But, being 3 he still really doesn't care much about it. Also I have been trying to think of how I could make birthdays special, but not totally self-involved. My conclusion was we would throw a party, but ask people not to bring a gift and instead they could put that money towards a donation to some organization. This year I was thinking I would do a firefighter theme and then donate the money to the local fire station. I would like to think that maybe, just maybe I could invoke a sense of charity and helping others just for the sake of helping and not looking for what we get in return.
The only thing I have thought about doing for this is the invitation... I was thinking it would be SO fun to take my boy to the fire station and see if someone will let him put a hat and jacket on for a couple of pictures... then I'll make a custom card using his cute face!
OH! I have of coarse thought about decorations a little... you know I have to have nice bright red balloons!

I have until July, so we'll see what all I end up actually doing... especially since our family is still some what transitional right now. Hopefully by then we will be more set as to where we are living and will actually have friends to invite (not just family).