Sussex County Man Receives Hometown Hero Award

Sussex County resident Michael McNamara was among the 23 local North Jersey residents recently honored by United States Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) for their dedication to improving the lives of their neighbors, families, and communities. The Fifth District Hometown Heroes acknowledged contributions by first responders, veterans, volunteers, community leaders, and residents.

For nearly four decades, McNamara has volunteered with local non-profit agency Project Self-Sufficiency. Known fondly at the social service organization as "the guy who always says 'yes'", McNamara has ripped up carpeting, salvaged flooded basements, carted mulch, impersonated Santa Claus at holiday parties for children, and once drove all the way to Maryland for a truckload of donated books. When pulmonary fibrosis slowed him down, he strapped on a portable oxygen tank and continued to volunteer. A successful 2023 lung transplant rejuvenated his spirit, and he returned to Project Self-Sufficiency with a spring in his step. When he is not at Project Self-Sufficiency, he enjoys hiking and is particularly proud of traversing both the beginning and end of the Appalachian Trail — just not the middle.

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"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) at a festive ceremony at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center. "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."

"Michael McNamara has been by our side since the inception of the agency 40 years ago," commented Project Self-Sufficiency Chief Executive Officer Deborah Berry-Toon. "From entertaining children, to carting hundreds of frozen turkeys for hungry families, to just quietly doing what needs to be done, Michael has proven that no action is too small to make a powerful difference in the life of a child, a family, and a community. We are proud to call him a true friend, and we look forward to many more years of working together to make our community a better place."