RELEASE: Gottheimer Hosts Fifth District “Hometown Heroes” Awards

Resources / Press Share on RELEASE: Gottheimer Hosts Fifth District “Hometown Heroes” Awards Jul 31, 2026 Press “Hometown Heroes” Honors Local Veterans, Life-saving First Responders, Community Leaders Above: Gottheimer honoring Fifth District residents as “Hometown Heroes.” HACKENSACK, NJ — Today, July 31, 2026, U.S. Congressman Gottheimer (NJ-5) honored local life-saving first responders, veterans, volunteers, community leaders, and residents during his Fifth District Hometown Heroes Ceremony at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center. Watch Gottheimer’s July, 2026 Hometown Heroes Ceremony here. Gottheimer honored North Jersey residents as Fifth District Hometown Heroes to acknowledge their dedication to improving the lives of their neighbors, families, and communities. “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.” Read about this year’s Hometown Heroes below: Samuel Kim, Englewood Cliffs — At just seventeen, Samuel has already founded two nonprofits serving local seniors: Aim for Unity, which offers free archery workshops for brain health and has served more than six hundred seniors, and the Senior Shield Project, a fraud-prevention and digital literacy program that has reached more than 150 people. A DECA regional champion and Regeneron science fair winner, he lives with his grandparents, whose care drives his work. Tom Colwell, Closter — Since 2023, Tom has served as Co-Chair of the Closter Food Pantry, turning a small effort into one of the most efficient operations around. He personally orders, picks up, and delivers food every month, builds the spreadsheets, tracks the finances, and secured grants for its equipment — all while holding a full-time job and volunteering alongside his wife and three kids. Andrew Dunn, Hillsdale — Andrew has been a Hillsdale resident for fifty-three years, and has devoted his life to Habitat for Humanity. Andy is a U.S. Army veteran and honored English teacher — has served as a  Habitat for Humanity construction crew leader for more than three decades, including a dozen trips for post-Katrina rebuilding. Joan Bohan & Mike Schulman, Northvale — Joan, Northvale’s school nurse for fifteen years, and Mike, its athletic director and a physical education teacher for eighteen and 2025–2026 Bergen County Teacher of the Year, didn’t hesitate when a middle school player collapsed in cardiac arrest this February. Using the district’s AED and CPR training, they brought the student back. Thanks to them, Angelo is alive today. Jim & Meredith Drobinske, Dumont — Dumont residents for thirty-nine years and married for forty-five, Jim and Meredith are retired Teachers of the Year who now serve as pantry managers for the Food Brigade, logging 1,804 volunteer hours in two years and helping feed 150 families a week. Jim — a fifty-two-year member of the Woodcliff Lake Fire Department — is a two-time Hometown Hero, first honored in 2018 for a CPR save on a golf course. Officer Frank Stefano, Oradell — Off duty at a Hackensack hockey rink, Oradell Officer Frank Stefano performed CPR and delivered two defibrillator shocks to revive a goalie in full cardiac arrest — who has since fully recovered. It’s far from his first save: Frank has twice been honored by Pascack Valley PBA Local 206, including for using Narcan to revive an unconscious individual. Paul Coller, Ramsey — A Ramsey resident for forty-one years and U.S. Army Reserve veteran, Paul volunteers twice a week with CHORE, part of Bergen Volunteers, performing home repairs that keep seniors and disabled residents safe at home. He has served there more than a decade, including as Board President. As Bergen Volunteers’ director Shara Nadler puts it, “Paul is a community champion who strengthens Bergen County every day.” Chief Robert Schlossberg, River Edge — River Edge Fire Chief Robert Schlossberg just completed a career that includes delivering a baby, three CPR saves, and several Unit Citations for courage — and this year was named 2025 New Jersey Fire Chief of the Year. He and his wife Joellen raised a true service family, with three children serving in fire, police, and EMS. His focus as Chief was always training, the best way to keep every member safe. Michele Weber, Waldwick — A lifelong Waldwick resident and cancer survivor, Michele chairs Access for All, raising awareness of what people with disabilities face and offering guidance on ADA co