DEAR ABBY: My parents did not need more "stuff" to mark their 50th anniversary. So we, their eight children, decided to include the following on the party invitation:
"In lieu of gifts, donations to Our Daily Bread, a non-discriminatory soup kitchen, will be accepted at the door. All donations will be forwarded to Our Daily Bread in the names of Bob and Mary Lou."
Abby, the 60 or so guests responded with donations amounting to more than $1,500. Our parents were overwhelmed, as was the director of the soup kitchen, at the generosity of their friends and family. -- BOB AND MARY LOU FOLZENLOGEN'S CHILDREN, CINCINNATI
DEAR 'CHILDREN': My congratulations to your parents. They have a great deal of which to be proud, and the values of their children are only the beginning. Your idea is terrific.