Teens 'pay it forward' by shoveling neighbors' driveways

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — When homeowners on South Olive Way woke up Sunday morning to find their driveways and walkways already shoveled, many didn't know what to think.

One resident called it a "surprise."

Another homeowner said it was something "you just don't see anymore."

"My daughter came and woke us up and said, 'look outside,'" said Darcy Peterson. "I mean, I can't believe it. I cannot believe it."

They all had a flier attached to their front doors that simply read, "You've been served."

"You just don't see that in this day and age," said Jeff Mostellar. "They did everything. The whole driveway, the stoop, the whole sidewalk up to the fence."

More than 50 homes in the area had definitely been served by six teenagers who chose to wake up early — around 6:30 a.m. — and shovel away.

The high schoolers said they just wanted to pay it forward.

"We wanted to get out before anyone woke up," said Nick Mirabella. "We just felt it was a really good idea to serve the whole neighborhood."

When offered money, the teens refused. When offered hot chocolate, they couldn't resist.

After the shoveling, the teens "cooled off" by sledding down the nearby hill.

"It's just kind of the best way I think we could spend a Sunday," Mirabella said.