'Tremendous' Tri-Boro Couple Recognized As Patch Community Leaders

TRI-BORO, NJ— Without community leaders, Tri-Boro wouldn’t hum along nearly as smoothly as it does. We’d miss their contributions in big and small ways.

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize these often unsung community leaders and celebrate their contributions.

This submission comes from Laura Jennings Pitt, a Tri-Boro Patch reader who nominated Lauren and Ekamon Venin for their "tremendous" local contributions as community volunteers and leaders. Read more from Lauren's nomination below:

How do you know this community leader?

I volunteer alongside them

What does this community leader do?

Both Ek and Lauren are tremendous community volunteers and leaders. Lauren heads up the Pompton Lakes Trails Commission and organizes maintenance days as well as guided hikes to keep the community involved and invested in the upkeep of this wonderful local resource. Ek serves on the borough council and is liaison to the Historic Commission. He is also responsible for securing annual donations of daffodil bulbs to the borough and coordinating the planting of them (with help from Lauren) to keep our community looking beautiful.

Why do you believe the community leader should be recognized or honored?

The Venins began their volunteerism with the goal of making the community better for their own children. Along the way, they have made changes that have benefitted the entire community. Including some truly innovative strategies to deal with local flooding. Lauren has shared her knowledge and expertise to provide outstanding results for previously flood prone parts of town. Together, the Venins have become a go-to duo for so many local projects. In addition, both have become mentors to other community volunteers, myself included. They have magnified their impact by motivating, inspiring, and guiding the next generation of community volunteers.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the community hero?

The entire Venin family practices karate. In addition to being wonderful community leaders, they have built and maintained wonderful family traditions, together.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.

Know a community leader who deserves a shout-out? Nominate them here.