12-year-old donates to Montclair animal shelter on his birthday

Jayden Perez celebrated his 12th birthday by delivering donated pet food to the Montclair Township Animal Shelter.

In lieu of presents, the Woodland Park resident asked for donations to the shelter.

At 10 years old, Perez founded nonprofit "From the Bottom of my Heart” to help people and pets in need. Every year on his birthday, he chooses a shelter in need and launches a fundraising drive, according to a press release by animal welfare nonprofit Red Rover.

On March 5, Perez and his mother went to the shelter and donated approximately 25 bags and cans of pet food, 8 blankets, toys, treats, 34 birthday cookies for dogs and $165 for medicine/shots, the announcement said.

He also gave the shelter volunteers hand sanitizer, "From the Bottom of My Heart" bags, and a welcome sign for the counter, according to the announcement .

Perez was also a finalist in Nickelodeon and TIME’s “2022 Kids of the Year” contest. He was featured as a Humane Hero in the latest edition of Kind News Magazine.