GLEN ROCK, N.J.—Congratulations to the Pascack Valley residents who star in Rep. Josh Gottheimer’s December 2020 roster of Fifth District Hometown Heroes.
The class of first responders, veterans, students, life-saving bystanders, volunteers, teachers, community leaders, and residents had something special in common: “their dedication to helping the lives of their neighbors, families, and communities.”
At the awards ceremony on Dec. 15 on Facebook Live, Gottheimer said, “We are lucky to have so many unsung heroes in our communities, whose quiet power of service goes on every day without the recognition they truly deserve. They just do it because they care. Today is their day.”
The winners were nominated by leaders throughout the community—including elected officials, faith leaders, and first responders—“as well as by friends, family members, and loved ones who believe that they truly deserve the title,” Gottheimer said.
From our area, winners, in order of appearance, are:
- Robin Malley, Woodcliff Lake. A local leader on the Woodcliff Lake Zoning Board and president of the Greater Pascack Valley Chamber of Commerce, overseeing philanthropic projects and advocating for small businesses.
- Dr. Mark Samani, Montvale. A prosthodontist who raised $22,000 during the pandemic to donate more than 72,000 gloves, 1,700 gowns, and 2,750 surgical masks to the Township of Montvale, Holy Name Hospital, and Hackensack University Hospital.
- Dr. Iris Kopeloff and Jill Kallet-Lustigman, Woodcliff Lake. They led a drop-off point for PPE, providing collection bins, collecting supplies, receiving donations, and delivering them to doctors, nurses, and staff at Valley Hospital.
- Tom Lepore, Park Ridge. Chief of the Park Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, Tom has been an integral part of the Park Ridge COVID-19 Task Force, helping facilitate communication between emergency services, the Borough, and the schools.
- Perry Solimando, Emerson. The Emerson deputy OEM coordinator and superintendent of the Department of Public Works has been committed to keeping the community safe during the pandemic.
Among the more than two dozen other winners in our neighboring communities are:
- Janet Boyhen of Dumont—an active member of the Dumont Borough Food Pantry and PTO president at Lincoln School, leading fundraisers to purchase laptops and clothing for children in need.
- Caleb Brown, Teaneck—a 25-year-old who produced a short film addressing gun violence in schools, which won an Award of Excellence at this year’s Global Shorts Film Festival in Los Angeles.
- Rich Apramian, Old Tappan—who joined the Old Tappan First Aid Corps in 2012 as a 17-year-old, he is now captain after significantly growing the First Aid Corps through a strong commitment to recruitment.
- Derek Kahill, Oradell—the Oradell OEM coordinator and an Oradell police sergeant, who has led efforts to organize relief, resources, and funding to help Oradell throughout the pandemic.
- Beth Potter, Harrington Park—a decades-long resident of Haworth who is a local steward of Haworth history, who has led historic home tours and fundraised for library renovations.
- Chris Simkins, Dumont—a 30-year member of the Haworth Department of Public Works, who has served as DPW superintendent for the past five years and helped lead Dumont throughout the pandemic.