FORT LEE—U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer honored 20 Fifth District residents as Hometown Heroes during a ceremony held Monday, Dec. 15, at the Barrymore Film Center, recognizing “life-saving first responders, veterans, volunteers, community leaders and residents whose service has improved the lives of their neighbors.”
The always eagerly anticipated event was staged on the first full day of Hanukkah, which Gottheimer referenced in remarks framing the ceremony as a public “thank you” to people who serve quietly, often without recognition.
“We know that it’s the Festival of Lights — that through the darkness, an impossible flame from one day’s worth of oil lasted for eight days. In other words, light will overcome darkness,” Gottheimer said.
He added, “Each day, our friends, family, and neighbors quietly go out and change lives through their service to others. They do it all without expecting any special recognition. They do it simply because it’s the right thing to do.”
For our readers, the list of honorees includes familiar names and hometowns — particularly Westwood, Montvale, and Woodcliff Lake — alongside recipients from elsewhere in the lively Fifth District.
The ceremony was a warm, inviting flame of goodness in a year, and weekend, that rather begs for such miracles. On Saturday afternoon, in Providence, R.I., a gunman on the Brown University campus targeted, shot, and killed two students and wounded nine others in the midst of exams.
On Sunday, in Archer Park, near Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia, a father and son with an arsenal reportedly took aim at a crowd of Jewish men, women, and children out celebrating the first night of Hanukkah. The fallen: at least 15, including a Holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old girl.
And on Sunday night, filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, were found slain in their home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Their son is being held in Los Angeles County jail.
So, as ever, let us recall the words of Fred Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”
Local nominees, and Rep. Gottheimer, found them:
Westwood: Student recognized for cardiac screening push, youth health work
Among the honorees was Jordan Schwartz of Westwood, a Westwood native and Westwood Regional High School student leader focused on youth health and wellness.
Schwartz is vice president of both the Health & Wellness Club and the Hillel Club and became the first student representative to the Westwood Board of Health, helping develop programs addressing youth health issues.
As we reported earlier this year, Schwartz spent two years working to bring a cardiac screening program to Westwood Regional High School after witnessing the impact of sudden cardiac events. The effort, Gottheimer’s office confirmed, reduced costs and expanded access. [“Fighting a silent killer: Hospital, towns, businesses back teen hero’s drive on heart health” by staff writer John Snyder, July 11, 2025.]
Montvale: Pascack Hills senior honored for comfort gifts to infusion patients
Also honored was Valerie Kimel of Montvale, as a senior at Pascack Hills High School whose project began after witnessing a young patient endure serious illness. Kimel started crocheting roses to offer patients receiving infusions — a small gift meant to communicate support and connection during treatment.
Each takes hours to make. Kimel invested nearly 100 hours into the effort, which has drawn recognition from local and state leaders. [“PH senior crochets roses to comfort infusion patients,” an Oct. 11, 2025 Pascack Press staff report.]
A second Montvale honoree, Chief Geoffrey Gibbons, was recognized for more than four decades in firefighting service, including at the state level. Gottheimer’s office said Gibbons has served with the Montvale Fire Department for more than 40 years, rising through every rank and providing leadership during major moments such as Y2K and the COVID-19 pandemic. Gottheimer emphasized mentorship and preparedness as hallmarks of his service.
Woodcliff Lake: Advocate honored for breast cancer support work, memorial foundations
The Pascack Valley presence on the honorees list also included Jennifer Errity of Woodcliff Lake, described as a community advocate who co-founded Spoil Me Pink, an organization that provides emotional support and special experiences for breast cancer survivors and thrivers.
Gottheimer said Errity has also helped establish memorial foundations honoring community members and supporting students and families through scholarships and outreach. She serves on the board of Josephine’s Garden, which the release described as a healing space for pediatric patients and their families. [For more on her story, see “Errity, Wells inspire as Chamber Citizens of the Year” by John Snyder, Nov. 17, 2025.]
In all, Gottheimer honored 20 North Jersey residents as Fifth District Hometown Heroes. Those recognized included:
- August “Augie” Caccavone (Fort Lee): A World War II veteran and survivor of the Battle of the Bulge, awarded the Bronze Star, and active in VFW Post 2342 at age 99, the release said.
- Chief Dean Ackermann (Glen Rock): A law enforcement professional with more than four decades of service, credited with leadership and innovation, according to the release.
- Aiden D’Angelo (Fair Lawn): Recognized for perseverance following a childhood crash and stroke, and for volunteerism through Saint Anne’s Youth Ministry, the release said.
- Dr. George Reskakis (Waldwick): A retired dentist volunteering through the Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative and involved in parks advocacy and community organizations, the release said.
- George Drimones (Englewood Cliffs): A longtime firefighter and former chief, credited with an extraordinary rescue and years of public service, according to the release.
- Dr. Andrew Baron (Closter): Honored for decades as a Boy Scout leader, work on local public spaces, and public health service, the release said.
- Brianna Wargelin (Dumont): An EMT recognized for volunteer service that began during COVID-19 and for helping deliver a baby during an emergency home birth, the release said.
- And others from across Bergen and Sussex counties.