Middletown Teens Who Saved Kids In Icy Pond Given $7,500 Award

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Remember these young men? The five Middletown teen boys who jumped into a frozen pond this past December and saved two little kids in a sledding accident will be honored with a $7,500 prize this May.

The money is given out by the Russell Berrie Foundation, a Mahwah-based non-profit that gives out money annually to people across New Jersey.

Kieran Foley, Joseph Dietrich, Drew Scalice, Ryan Day, and Tyler Armagan — all freshmen at Middletown High School North — will be awarded the money in virtual award ceremony on May 7.

As Patch reported, the amazing rescue happened on the first big snowfall of what would turn out to be a very snowy winter: On Dec. 17, 2020, Olivia Heid, 8, and her little brother, RJ, 4, were sledding at Beacon Hill Country Club in Leonardo when they hit a patch of ice and skidded onto a frozen pond. They landed seven feet into the pond and had started to sink in their blow-up sled.

The teen boys had been standing near the pond; Foley jumped into the water to grab the kids and his friends formed a human chain to carry the children to shore. The boys lost their boots, cell phones and earbuds in the frozen water as they rescued the two younger kids.

"A life is much more valuable than a phone," Foley said when the boys appeared on "Good Morning America."

"These things can be replaced," said Day, who actually works as a caddy at Beacon Hill Country Club. "Not lives."

The Middletown gang of five were chosen from more than 330 nominations submitted last year and in 2021.

“The Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award honors Garden State residents whose outstanding community service and heroic acts have made a substantial impact on the lives of others," said Russ Berrie program director Meredith Lee. "The five Middletown teens being recognized this year exemplify a spirit of selflessness and service to others. We hope their example will inspire other young people to look for ways they can help their communities.”

This is only the latest recognition for the boys, but perhaps the largest cash award they've received so far: The teens were thanked with a personal phone call from Gov. Murphy; were interviewed by the Associated Press, CNN and put on the front page of the New York Post. It all started from this Patch story: Middletown Teens Save Children Who Sledded Into Frozen Pond (Dec. 18, 2020)

Also, the national headquarters of the American Legion Auxiliary would like to honor and award the Middletown teens; they are looking for the boys' parents. If anyone knows the boys, they are asked to contact Doreen Gallagher American Legion Auxiliary, Past Department President doreengal@hotmail.com

The American Legion wants to nominate them for the American Legion Auxiliary Youth Hero Award.

Ramapo College of New Jersey, in Mahwah, manages the awards program and ceremony on behalf of the Russell Berrie Foundation.

For 25 years, the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award has honored New Jersey residents whose outstanding service to others and heroic acts make a substantial impact on the lives of others.

Every year, the foundation gives a top prize of $50,000, four awards of $25,000 and 14 awards of $7,500. The five Middletown teens are part of the 14 smallest prize winners this year. A total list of all the 2021 winners is below.

To date, the Russell Berrie Foundation has given $3.75 million to 380 people, each of whom has an inspiring story to tell about how they made a difference.

This year’s awardees are:

Dionisio Cucuta, Jr., aka “Chef Dion,” a military veteran from Teaneck and this year’s $50,000 winner, is described as an irreplaceable asset to his community. Recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic created devastating food insecurity for many vulnerable residents in Bergen County, Chef Dion jumped into action. Drawing on his culinary background, he created Hot Wheels, a volunteer-based food distribution program that has provided more than 250,000 meals since March 2020. Chef Dion has also been a long-time mentor to young people through the Disabled Combat Veterans Youth Program and Englewood’s Culinary Cadets program.

Kim Gaddy of Newark has spent more than 20 years on the frontlines fighting for environmental justice in New Jersey communities of color, starting in her own South Ward neighborhood where she raised her three children who suffered from chronic asthma. That personal experience and losing her brother-in-law to a fatal asthma attack compelled her to be a voice for communities impacted by industrial pollution. After a decade of tenacious advocacy by Kim and other environmental leaders, New Jersey now has the strongest environmental justice legislation in the nation. In recognition of her steadfast leadership, she is the recipient of a $25,000 award.

Anthony Capuano of Jersey City was in the right place at the right time. As a lifeguard and swim instructor, Anthony knew he couldn’t stand on the sidelines as he saw a car sinking in the Newark Bay with the driver trapped inside. The cold November water or even his prosthetic leg didn’t stop Anthony from jumping into the water to save the driver – who, unknown to Anthony, could not swim. His quick thinking, bravery and lifesaving action earned him a $25,000 award.

Maria Torres of Newark became the manager of United Community Corporation’s Champion House food pantry just weeks before the onset of COVID-19. Recently diagnosed with Lupus, she was at extremely high risk yet never wavered in her commitment to the community. As lockdowns and unemployment led to a huge rise in food insecurity, the pantry served 150,000 people in 2020—an increase of more than 1,000 % over prior years. Maria will receive a $25,000 award for her dedicated service.

Sister Frances Salemi of Jersey City has improved lives for decades, and the students she has helped number in the thousands. On December 10, 2019, she and her staff saved the lives of their students as two attackers ambushed a grocery store across the street from Sacred Heart School, where she serves as principal. In the hours-long shootout with police that ensued, four people were killed, and the school was riddled with bullets. Sister Frances is the recipient of a $25,000 award.

The following honorees will receive $7,500 awards:

• Donna York, Hillsborough, is founder of HARK ALS, which provides financial and emotional support for families affected by ALS. York’s daily acts of heroism exemplify commitment, courage, and leadership to the ALS community.

• Paul Nickels, Hackensack, is the creator of Homeless Resource Guide and an advocate for the homeless. Pulling from his own experiences, Paul provides a voice for those who have been silenced by their struggles.

• Larry Abrams, Cherry Hill, founder of BookSmiles, is a champion of literacy working to combat “book deserts” in South Jersey to ensure that underserved children have their personal library at home to help develop good literacy skills.

• Sheryl Olitzky, North Brunswick, is founding director of Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, whose mission is to build trust, respect, and relationships between Muslim and Jewish women and teenage girls, with 175+ chapters in the US, Canada, and select European cities.

• Rosa Zaremba, South Plainfield, founder of Mexican Alliance of New Jersey, helps young people in Latinx communities explore college and career options by connecting them with mentors and learning opportunities.

• Phil Stafford, Wallington, is founder of N.J. Food and Clothing Rescue. Grit and heart have fueled Phil’s volunteer efforts before and during COVID-19 to secure and redistribute food to vulnerable individuals at risk of falling through the cracks.

• Paul Winslow, East Hanover, founder of Students 2 Science, brings together the public and private sectors to change the life trajectory of students from underserved communities through STEM education with real-world applications and real-world solutions.

• Affectionately known as “The Rescuers” (Kieran Foley, Joseph Dietrich, Drew Scalice, Ryan Day, and Tyler Armagan), Middletown, these teens created a human chain to save two small children whose sled entered an icy pond on a cold December day.

• Emma & Quinn Joy, South Orange, founders of Girls Helping Girls. Period., address one of the most overlooked and underdiscussed issues facing low-income women today – period poverty. Emma and Quinn embody the spirit of making a difference while advocating and educating others to erase the stigma surrounding menstrual health.

• Amanda Ebokosia, Newark, is founder of The Gem Project, which educates young people about critical issues affecting their communities. Through activism and service-learning, youth strengthen skills of leadership and community organizing.

• Wilhelmina Holder, Newark, is President of Newark Secondary Parents Council. Decades after having children in the public education system, she continues to advocate for equity and opportunity for young people in Newark Public Schools.

• Sharron Miller, Montclair, is founder of Sharron Miller’s Academy for the Performing Arts. For over 25 years, Sharon has expanded arts education access for thousands of underserved N.J. young people – primarily children of color.

• Jerzy “Jerry” Maziarz, Elizabeth, his exceptional volunteerism and compassion for those in need makes Jerry an asset to the community. As a volunteer with St. Joseph Social Service Center for over 19 years, Jerry chooses to make a difference every day.

• Lynn Regan, Farmingdale, founded CFC Loud N Clear Foundation after witnessing her loved one’s agonizing struggle with addiction. She created a successful relapse prevention model that has helped thousands of young people achieve long-term sober living.

To learn more about each of the 2021 honorees and to register for the virtual celebration, visit www.ramapo.edu/berrie-awards/.

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