Everyday Heroes

What Is the Everyday Heroes/ NIE Awards Program?

I am proud to live in a community where the local newspaper rekindles the spirit of giving by honoring Everyday Heroes, passing on their legacy and inspiring others to join, city-by-city and county-by -county.
Charles T. Epps, Jr.
Jersey City School Superintendent

Started in 1989, the Everyday Heroes Awards program seeks to honor the unsung heroes in Hudson County. It continues in the tradition of The Jersey Journal Woman of Achievement program, which marked its 25th and final year in 1987.

Each year, The Jersey Journal announces Everyday Hero categories and solicits nominations from the public. The nominations are reviewed by a panel of judges that includes Journal editors and executives, the presidents of Hudson County's four colleges, and Assemblywoman Joan Quigley of Jersey City, who served as honorary chairwoman of the Women of Achievement program.

Once the Heroes are selected, they are profiled in The Jersey Journal and feted at the Everyday Heroes/Newspapers In Education Awards Dinner. The program has so far honored more than 100 Hudson County residents.

Please click here for a list of previous Jersey Journal Everyday Heroes.

Award categories for 2008 are as follows:

Environmentally Conscious: Someone whose actions are resulting in a cleaner, greener Hudson.
Patron of the Arts: A local person, business or organization supporting the arts.
The Mike Rowan Award: Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders Through Athletics: Named for a late Jersey Journal sportswriter who was a passionate advocate for athletics programs for urban kids.
Teen Hero: Honoring an extraordinary local teen who demonstrates a strong commitment to community and personal development.
Community Service: Lauding those who reach out to others to improve the quality of life in Hudson County municipalities.
The Betty Foley Memorial Award: Named for a late Jersey Journal staffer who contributed to the community through her personal volunteerism with church and community organizations.
NIE Teacher: A teacher who uses The Jersey Journal in the classroom.

To nominate your Everyday Hero, please fill out this form

Nominees must be residents of Hudson County or businesses located in Hudson County.
The deadline for online nominations is August 16, 2008.

The names of the winning honorees will be revealed in the spring, when The Jersey Journal will publish an extensive profile, with photos, of each Class of 2008 Everyday Hero. The honorees will be feted at an awards dinner.