Imagine the thrill of celebrating your 11th birthday with 75 of your friends and classmates.

There’d be a big party — held in the cavernous Bayview Hall — with games, balloons, cake and a DJ to play your favorite tunes. Think of the presents you’d get — why, it would take weeks just to open them all.

Nirvana?

Absolutely!

But birthday girl Stephanie Otteman had a better idea.

A party, yes, but maybe something a little different, something that would yield good things for kids not quite as fortunate as Stephanie and her friends.

Adopted at an early age along with her younger sister Chris, Stephanie grew up with a South Whidbey foster family, Kirk and Erin Otteman of Clinton.

Every time a new foster child was due at the home, Stephanie recalled each carrying all they owned in garbage bags.

Stephanie could see how demeaning it was, creating an environment where self-esteem and self-respect would never flourish — precisely those qualities every adult hopes a child will develop.

So for her birthday party, Stephanie asked each of her friends to make a choice: In lieu of a present, each would bring a new backpack or a food item.

The backpacks would go to the Whidbey Island foster care program; the food to the Good Cheer Food Bank.

And by 7 p.m. Friday, over 100 youngsters and parents were having a great time nibbling snacks, dancing and burning off mountains of energy.

Just inside the door, a table groaned with more than 250 food items destined for those in need.

Meanwhile, the birthday girl talked, giggled and boogied with her classmates from South Whidbey Intermediate School.

Before the party, Stephanie admitted she’s a country-music lover. “My dad grew up on a farm and it’s his favorite, too,” she said. “But I like to dance and I’m really excited my parents let me do this. I like having a lot of people for my birthday and being able to help others at the same time.”

Sitting on the sidelines, Al Thomas watched daughter Chelby on the dance floor.

“I think it’s pretty neat, especially having the kids bring food instead of presents,” he said.

Some parents expressed initial concerns over whether the party was age-appropriate, at least until they saw how much fun everyone was having. But most agreed with Julia Bishop. “I think this is a wonderful family event and the ‘no-gift’ policy is very generous of Stephanie,” she said. “Plus it gives the kids a different perspective on what it means to help others.”

Local artist Lauren Lichtenstein hung her colorful mixed media prints on the walls; half of all sales are slated for the foster child program.

“I thought it was just amazing that Erin’s daughter wanted to do this,” she said.

Apart from the food, 21 backpacks were donated, over half stuffed with blankets or teddy bears.

Some day lonely, frightened boys or girls will be taken to new foster homes, carrying their requisite bag stuffed with clothes.

But their most prized possessions, the few items they care about most, may well be tucked safely away in their new backpack — courtesy of Stephanie and her friends.