According to an article released by Business Week in January 2008, the Needham (Mass.)-based researcher TowerGroup (MA) estimates that billions of dollars in American gift cards go unutilized. The TowerGroup projected that of the $97 billion in gift cards sold last year, roughly $8 billion remains unused.

GiftCardGiver.com has found a way harness that money for good. The organization collects gift cards with outstanding balances, and then forwards those cards onto non-profit groups such as Habitat For Humanity, Big Brother Big Sister, and the American Red Cross.

They've come-up with a creative solution to get those gift cards: a Gift Card Giver House Party. Scheduled for Sunday, January 11, 2009, the house party is GiftCardGiver.com's response to a felt need.

"From a giving stand point, January and February are low giving (months) for non-profits," says founder Jeff Shinabarger. "Most people are paying off their bills from December, and they don't feel like giving."

He added that this approach is most effective when carried out within the context of creativity, and friendship. "Have everyone that comes to the house ‘get carded'," he said. "In this scenario, in order to get in you have to bring a gift card."

Shinabarger suggested that partygoers even play card games in an effort to maintain the house party's theme.

"The idea is to really bring people together around a unique form of giving, in your home...and have fun."

To register your Gift Card Giver House Party, or for more information, contact: info AT GiftCardGiver.com, or call (678) 787-6190. Collected gift cards can be mailed to: Gift Card Giver, 490 East Side Ave SE, Atlanta, GA, 30316.