5 Heroes Of NJ: Child Advocate, Lifesaver, Caregiver And More

NEW JERSEY — One of the Garden State's best kept secrets is the selflessness of its people.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. And we’re working to tell the stories of these outstanding people.

Here are five heroes that have been identified by Patch readers that you shouldn’t miss:

Andrew Osnato, Saved A Toddler From A Busy Road

It was in the early evening of Oct. 18 and Caitlin Del Popolo said she and nephew Andrew Osnato got into her car: She was headed to her overnight job in the newborn baby section of Riverview Medical Center, and she was going to drop Osnato off at his job at the Wawa in Leonardo, right on the way.

"At the last second of course I forgot my bag and had to run back inside, delaying us by a few minutes," she recalled. "So we get in the car and are driving down Rt. 36. It was about 6:30 p.m., starting to get dark and just as we neared Texas Avenue, I saw something in the middle of Rt. 36. I was like, 'What is that; is that a deer? Is that a dog?'"

Osnato started screaming, "It's a baby!"

Read more here.

Gregory Lee Dillow, Caregiver To Ailing Father, COVID Front Line Worker

"He's been a wonderful son in helping his mom and dad, who has multiple sclerosis.

My husband Bob was diagnosed with MS 16 years ago, when Greg was just 13 at the time. It was very difficult for us all, but especially Greg. We were a very active family: Camping, biking, all sports and Bob was always playing or helping coach him.

Bob's love of music and playing the bass was very important to both of them. Sadly, for a very long time after the diagnosis, there was no music in our home. It was very sad until Greg started mastering the bass and bringing music and life back to our family. Greg amazes us, but especially Bob, who is an extremely proud father. Greg being at Riverview for so long has made many connections with doctors and specialists and he always makes appointments for his Dad with the best."

Read more here.

Caroline Och, Saved Dog From Traffic

"A dog was loose and wandering on busy South Finley Ave in Basking Ridge. A young lady, who is a school counselor intern at an area high school, pulled over and stopped the traffic to rescue the scared dog! She calmly got hold of the dog and called the number on his tag so he was soon reunited with his owner."

Read more here.

Murray Dychtwald, Cystic Fibrosis Advocate

"For the past 10 years, Mr. Dychtwald has been working tirelessly for The Breathe Foundation. He is the original founder of this organization. He fundraises money to help pay for medical bills devices and pharmaceuticals for people with cystic fibrosis.

When Hurricane Sandy blew through Toms River, he ran the kitchen at Toms River High School East that fed more than 40,000 people in 10 days. He was recognized by Ocean County, which awarded him Citizen of the Year."

Read more here.

Felicia Carroll, Beloved School Bus Driver

"Felicia loves her job, she treats all her students as one of her own and they all call her Ms. Felicia. Even on weekends or holidays, she will see her bus kids and they run up to her and hug her and say thank you. She loves when students draw her cards or pictures. She is so proud to show us at the transportation office. I nominate Felicia because she is a true hero being a South Brunswick Board of Ed Bus Driver"

Read more here.