Jack Bethea’s birthday wish

Jack Bethea fidgets in his chair and looks to his mom for assurance as he begins the story of his most recent birthday party.

He smiles. His big brown eyes squint as his big grin reveals several missing front teeth. A little shy around adults, but nonetheless eager to tell about his birthday, Jack says he asked his friends not bring him presents.

On May 8, Jack turned 6. He invited his friends to his house for his birthday party to play baseball, one of his favorite pastimes.

What was most unusual about his birthday party was his request. Although a typical boy of his age, Jack’s wish was not typical. He wanted his friends to bring presents for the animals at the Darlington County Animal Shelter instead of for him. Some brought food and dog collars while others brought money to be donated to the Darlington County Humane Society to use for whatever is needed at the Darlington County Animal Shelter.

Jack likes animals; he has four dogs, Hamp, Tanner, Alice, a shelter rescue, and J.D., which stands for Jack’s Dog. J.D. is a Basset Hound.

Jack’s mother, Jennifer Bethea, said the idea was not a novel one. A friend of hers had made the same request for her 2-year-old’s birthday party; however, when she told Jack about the idea, it was totally his idea to do the same for his birthday.

“We gave Jack a choice,” Jennifer said. “But he thought this was a great idea. Jack has been to the shelter several times with me.”

Jack is the son of Jennifer and Ben Bethea of Hartsville. His father, who works at Segars Realty and is a volunteer fireman, works with a member of the Humane Society. Jennifer said they were thrilled when they heard what Jack wanted to do.

After the party, the family took the gifts and $130 to the Humane Society.

“Jack was real excited,” Jennifer said. “One of the best things Jack got was the neat cards. One played music, one had a whoopi cushion that he and his sister especially liked.”

They recently received a “thank you” note from Jeannie Gainey with the Darlington County Humane Society.

Jack’s sister, Kate, 3, his mother said isn’t sure about having a birthday party like her brother.

Jack said his birthday wasn’t totally without gifts. He received Power Rangers from his family. He said he also likes to play with Transformers.
When asked what was the best thing about his birthday party, Jack said, “playing baseball.”

His cake was also in the shape of a baseball.

Jack just finished a season playing ball on National League’s Pepsi team.
“I played outfield center,” Jack said.

Jack, who will be in first grade next year, just graduated from five-year kindergarten at the First Presbyterian Church. He said he wasn’t sure about what kind of party he would like to have for his next birthday.

For a 6-year-old, this was a special birthday that meant a lot to not only Jack but for lots of helpless animals in Darlington County.