FAIR LAWN—U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) honored “local first responders, veterans, life-saving bystanders, volunteers, community leaders, and residents” during his Fifth District Hometown Heroes Ceremony, held at the Fair Lawn Community Center.
Gottheimer honored more than 20 residents as Fifth District Hometown Heroes to acknowledge their dedication to helping improve the lives of their neighbors, families, and communities.
Among the district’s many other impressive heroes from Bergen and Sussex counties, Gottheimer honored (in order of appearance):
- Lauren Lopez of Montvale;
- Liliana Polvere, 10, of Emerson;
- Martin Prince of Woodcliff Lake;
- Linda Wayne of River Vale;
- Michael Foti of Hillsdale;
- Eugene Wilkins of River Vale;
- Thomas Tully of Park Ridge; and
- The DiTrani family of Emerson.
“We are lucky to have so many unsung heroes in our communities here today, 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,” Gottheimer said in a statement from his office.
He added, “Without the people we are recognizing today, our communities would not be as strong as they are, and North Jersey would not be the great place that it is.”
And he said, “These individuals come from all walks of life, but all share an idea that is particularly special: they embody our Jersey Values and make our community such a special place to live, work, and raise a family. They help us build that more perfect union of our dreams. We all should work to live up to their example.”
Taking in the bigger picture, Gottheimer said, “In a time fueled by hyper-partisan cable news and social media, our Hometown Heroes don’t get caught up in fiery tweets and extreme language seeking to divide us. I’m focused on putting country over party, and that’s exactly what our Hometown Heroes do. They want to get things done and help our community, state, and country.”
The Democratic co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus added, “We have to remember that we are all Americans — our enemy isn’t each other. Our enemies are China, Russia, and Putin, and we are all in this together.”
The winners, according to Gottheimer’s office:
Liliana Polvere, Emerson
Ten-year-old Lily Polvere runs Lily’s Giving Train, a toy drive she started at 5 after hearing the devastating news of a local family who lost many of their belongings during a house fire. Her one goal: to make more families smile during the holiday season. With the help of friends, family, and the entire Emerson community, Lily has successfully donated 300 toys since the beginning of her giving train — 70 toys this year alone.
Martin Prince, Woodcliff Lake
Martin Prince is a more than 50-year North Jersey resident. He was President of the B’nai B’rith Northern Valley Lodge from 1973 to 1974 and active as a scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts for a decade. He was a member of the Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps from 2015 to 2017, a Life Member of the Closter Volunteer Ambulance Corps. He volunteered with the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey to help elementary school students learn to read, and volunteers with the Jackson Avenue School in South Hackensack. He chaired Temple Emanuel’s participation in the Upper Pascack Valley Crop Walk for 18 years, helping raise $225,000 to relieve hunger in the local community and worldwide.
Lauren Lopez, Montvale
Lauren Lopez is the Northern Valley High School nurse who performed CPR and administered one defibrillator shock on a colleague who collapsed. After the staffer regained consciousness, Lauren monitored her until EMTs and paramedics arrived. She volunteers with the Marine Corps Officer Spouses’ Club, Wreaths Across America, and Toys for Tots, fundraises for servicemembers’ children scholarships, and volunteers with Orphanage Outreach in the Dominican Republic.
Linda Wayne, River Vale
Linda Wayne has been a North Jersey resident for 48 years. After 9/11, Linda joined the River Vale Community Emergency Response Team, rising to co-coordinator at one of the most active CERT teams in the state. Since then, she has also been appointed as a deputy emergency management coordinator by the elected officials of River Vale. She is a 47-year member and past president of the River Vale Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary; member of Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church in Harrington Park, where she is treasurer of the Social Concerns Committee; helps with the annual Christmas Giving Tree; feeds the homeless at the Hackensack Shelter; and helps local families in need. Linda has also served on the River Vale Board of Health Advisory Board.
Not present but receiving honors were Old Tappan police officers Michael Foti of Hillsdale, Eugene Wilkins of River Vale, and Thomas Tully of Park Ridge; and the DiTrani family of Emerson, which includes veterans of World War II.
Gottheimer also honored Amanda Missey of Hackensack, Simon Toffell of Glen Rock, Jackie Gersht of Ramsey, Eric Orgen of Teaneck, Mark Friedberg of Allendale, Roger Knauss of Ramsey, George Saigh of New Milford, Charlotte Abrams of Upper Saddle River, Lori-Ann Quinn of Fair Lawn, Ashlee Luther of Fair Lawn, Dr. Henry Pruitt of Teaneck, John Hanlon of Ho-Ho-Kus, Margaret Murphy of Mahwah, George Ambrose of Hamburg in Sussex County, Estina Baker of Teaneck, Harry Shortway of Vernon in Sussex County, and Miriam Lambert of Closter.
For video of the Fifth District Hometown Heroes Awards ceremony, click HERE.