Los Alamitos, Calif.
When Los Alamitos' city council voted to forego funding a fireworks celebration it hosts with three neighboring areas, residents stepped up to the plate.
Donor Kenny Brandyberry swooped in with the $15,000 budget and single-handedly saved the fireworks celebration that 20,000 people have enjoyed each year since 1983. Other residents and local businesses also followed suit and came up with an additional $900.
"Our city hasn't cut any jobs and we're determined not to take money out of our reserves, but we've been tightening our belt everywhere, and the city deemed that fireworks are not a wise use of the expenditures," said Angie Avery, director of recreation and community services in Los Alamitos.
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Last updated July 02 2010: 3:14 PM ET
