Paramus Freedom Walk Founder Gets National Recognition

Joey Rizzolo was just 11 years old when he founded the Paramus Freedom Walk seven years ago, an event devoted to remembering those who were taken too soon on 9/11.

His continued efforts, which have turned this walk into an annual community event drawing several hundred each year, have been recognized with a New Jersey State Governor's Jefferson Youth Award.

Rizzolo, 18, was honored this weekend at a ceremony at the Newark Museum for his hard work on the Paramus Freedom Walk with the Jefferson Award, a national recognition in honor of community and public service. 

He came across the idea when he learned of a Freedom Walk done in Washington, D.C. and he thought it would be a good idea to bring this walk to his own hometown. He's previously told Patch that he believes the event is succesful becuase people really do care about those who died on 9/11.

Rizzolo has also said he sees the walk as a "thank you" to veterans and local first responders. It also pays tribute to the seven Paramus residents who were killed on 9/11.