CITY FOCUS:Birthdays marked by giving

Four Laguna teens came up with an innovative idea to celebrate their collective birthdays on Oct. 28.

Rather than asking for birthday presents, Matt and Zach Neev, Keaton Jones and Tyler Pierce asked their friends to bring grocery store gift certificates to donate to needy families for Thanksgiving.

They raised $1,235 and plan to donate the funds to the Laguna Relief and Resource Coalition to benefit families with kids in Laguna schools.

Tyler Pierce said the group came up with the idea together. They chose to go with the gift certificates, rather than an international charity.

“We thought it would be cool to help local families,” he said.

The party featured music, dancing, bobbing for apples and a costume contest, he said. About 50 people showed up, and those who were unable to attend still gave certificates.

“I had a lot of fun, and was glad I could help out the local charity,” Tyler said.