Gottheimer honors North Jersey veterans, first responders and community leaders as 2026 Hometown Heroes

HACKENSACK, N.J. (Bergen County) — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th District, honored 20 individuals and teams Friday during his annual Fifth District Hometown Heroes Ceremony, recognizing veterans, first responders, volunteers and community leaders for their service to North Jersey communities.

The ceremony was held July 31 at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center.

“Today, we are here to focus on our neighbors, who, even in all the noise, look for ways to put others above themselves,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “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. They all come from different walks of life, but they all 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.”

The 2026 Fifth District Hometown Heroes are:

• Samuel Kim, Englewood Cliffs — Founded the nonprofits Aim for Unity and the Senior Shield Project, providing free archery workshops, fraud prevention and digital literacy education for older adults.
• Tom Colwell, Closter — Co-chair of the Closter Food Pantry, overseeing food distribution, finances and grant funding while volunteering with his family.
• Andrew Dunn, Hillsdale — U.S. Army veteran, retired English teacher and longtime Habitat for Humanity construction crew leader, including post-Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts.
• Joan Bohan and Mike Schulman, Northvale — The school nurse and athletic director who used CPR and an automated external defibrillator to save a middle school student who suffered cardiac arrest.
• Jim and Meredith Drobinske, Dumont — Retired educators who have logged more than 1,800 volunteer hours managing the Food Brigade pantry, with Jim also serving more than five decades with the Woodcliff Lake Fire Department.
• Officer Frank Stefano, Oradell — Revived a hockey goalie suffering cardiac arrest while off duty and has been recognized for multiple lifesaving rescues during his law enforcement career.
• Paul Coller, Ramsey — U.S. Army Reserve veteran and longtime Bergen Volunteers volunteer performing home repairs for seniors and residents with disabilities.
• Chief Robert Schlossberg, River Edge — Recently retired fire chief, 2025 New Jersey Fire Chief of the Year and longtime advocate for firefighter training and safety.
• Michele Weber, Waldwick — Cancer survivor and chair of Access for All, promoting disability awareness, ADA compliance and community inclusion.
• Michael McNamara, Branchville — Nearly four decades of volunteer service with Project Self-Sufficiency and continued service after receiving a lung transplant.
• Nick Vanhorn, Sussex — Crossing guard known for keeping children safe while also providing community weather updates and participating in local events.
• Keri Marino, Franklin — President of the 200 Club of Sussex County, domestic violence survivor, DASI trustee and trauma-informed yoga instructor for survivors.
• Linda Schaefer, Ringwood — Longtime volunteer with the Ringwood Ambulance Auxiliary and community leader who has served on numerous township boards.
• Gary Oppenheimer, West Milford — Founder of AmpleHarvest.org, a nonprofit connecting home gardeners with food pantries across all 50 states to reduce hunger and food waste.
• Anthony Pulizzano, Upper Saddle River — Police officer and Special Olympics New Jersey advocate who founded “Climb with a Cop” and coordinated the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
• Officers Alex Lospinuso and Jake Rotunda, Franklin — Franklin police officers who saved a critically injured man’s life by applying a tourniquet and chest seal during an emergency response.
• John Herrmann, Englewood Fire Department — Firefighter and peer support coordinator who provides mental health assistance to firefighters across New Jersey.
• Razak Buddha, Teaneck — At age 93, continues volunteering at Holy Name Hospital while also providing care and companionship to elderly residents.
• Laurie Epstein, Haworth — Advocate for food allergy awareness and longtime Girl Scout leader who has helped mentor more than 130 girls.
• Helen Whalen, Westwood (posthumously) — Local historian recognized for preserving the history of Westwood and the Pascack Valley. Her award was accepted by members of her family.

Gottheimer’s Hometown Heroes program recognizes residents throughout New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District whose volunteerism, public service and leadership have made a lasting impact on their communities.