If her parents could wrap that promise and tie it with a bow, they would. But Madeline isn't interested in cake or presents for her birthday next month. Instead, she's asking that her birthday surprises be delivered to the York County Humane Society.

Today, she plans to deliver stacks of donations to the humane society building on Carolina Place in Fort Mill. Instead of the spa party she hosted for her birthday last year, Nichols and three of her friends will spend time at the shelter volunteering.

Belinda Epps, who has worked at the society for six years, said she's seen similar donations from about 10 students so far this year, and the numbers are rising. Schools and Scouts give donations, too, and Epps receives items every day from people in the community.

"Kids nowadays get more than I could have ever imagined at that age," Epps said. "It's sweet they're also giving back."

Nichols raised almost $500 and collected toys, beds, cat litter, newspapers, cleaning supplies and more than 200 pounds of food from family, friends, teachers, classmates and neighbors. She finished collecting the goods Thursday.

The birthday girl said she learned about the society and its needs at her local veterinarian's office.

She thought of her pets: her golden retriever Woofie, her pug Pugsie, and her two cats, Stephanie and Maxfli.

That news -- and a few years of watching her Nanna, who also loved animals -- gave Nichols an idea. In the parking lot, Nichols proposed a deal to her mother. She didn't need the balloons or ice cream to make her feel a year older. The animals needed more than she did.

"I couldn't be more proud, of course," said her mother, Janice Nichols, who made an instant call to her husband during his business trip. "I was shocked at first. She came up with it all on her own."

Nichols got to work putting fliers in every mailbox in her neighborhood. She made an announcement to her class and talked to family members about the change in tradition. She wanted to start before everyone went on vacation.

"That's how she is," said Lynn Morgan, her fourth-grade teacher at Ebinport Elementary School in Rock Hill. "Give her a project, and she goes way beyond what you'd expect."

Twenty birthdays from now, she'd like to be a veterinarian. But for now, she's happy giving her time and attention to the pug-Pekingnese mix she met during her first visit to the humane society, and to all of his dog and cat friends.