9-Year-Old Boy Donates Birthday Money to Buy Bulletproof K9 Vests

— -- A nine-year old boy in St. Paul, Minn., is being recognized for making a thoughtful decision beyond his years.

Fourth grader Ethan Flint asked his friends and family to forgo buying him birthday gifts and instead use the money to help provide bulletproof vests for the St. Paul Police K9 Foundation, according to ABC affiliate KSTP-TV .

Ethan's mother, Jennifer Flint, told KSTP-TV they wanted "to do something that he was interested in and give to a cause that he believed in."

Ethan presented the K9 Foundation with a homemade check for $1,290, KSTP-TV reported.

"This kid has a heart of gold," St. Paul Police Department Spokesman Steve Linders told ABC News.

Ethan's gift will be combined with a donation from a restaurant to purchase two vests, said Linders.

ABC News could not immediately reach the Flint family for comment.