Wayne Resident, First Aid Squad Recognized Among NJ-11's 2024 'Heroes'

WAYNE, NJ — Everyday heroes are all around us, and a North Jersey congresswoman is recognizing the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad and a local business advocate for their dedication to their communities.

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who represents the state’s 11th congressional district, has released a list of 25 people who are “NJ-11 Heroes.”

Residents in the district – which includes part of Wayne, and several other towns in Essex, Morris and Passaic counties – were encouraged to nominate everyday heroes in their lives in a show of gratitude.

There was an outpouring of submissions – which demonstrates the massive wellspring of goodwill that exists in the region, Sherrill said.

“Each year, my office and I receive so many incredible submissions for our annual heroes program," the congresswoman said. “This year was no different.”

“I am moved by all of the New Jerseyans who are making a difference in the lives of others,” Sherrill continued. “There were inspiring submissions from throughout the district and this year’s group of heroes includes teachers, community leaders, volunteers, veterans, students, and more. All of our heroes are neighbors who we are grateful for this holiday season.”

Here are the two Wayne awardees and what their nominators said, courtesy of Sherrill's office:

Wayne Township Volunteer First Aid Squad

Nominated by Frank

"The First Aid Squad are all volunteers that give all of their time to help our community. Wayne is a large town (50,000 people) and these people are there to help, no matter how tired they are, how long they’ve been at work, or how many volunteers they have that day. They deserve to be 2024 Heroes because they show their heroism every day."

Alfonso Izzi, Wayne

Nominated by Cindy Fine

"For his work in helping small businesses, for his service to our country as a Veteran of Vietnam, and as a person who had so many struggles and kept going. Alfonso lost his wife to breast cancer, lost his business in 2009 to the recession, but this did not bring him down. He continued to persevere through hard times, and help his community doing so. He deserves recognition because he cared for so many and everyone always tells me how much they love my dad, or how he always made them laugh or smile. You can't go anywhere without people asking for him."