Benny Gonzalez was recognized for his remarkable service Friday in New Brunswick by the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey.
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Benny was honored for his contributions to his community, but also for his perseverance - and for the hope that his comeback story represents for others.
170,000 people in New Jersey are living with brain injuries, with 10,000 - 12,000 more added each year.
Eyewitness News first caught up with Benny back in 2014.
We followed him as he engaged in his personal labor of love: keeping highway access roads clean and litter-free. He's never been paid for his time.
A traumatic brain injury Benny suffered as a child has done little to dampen his passion to help his community all these years.
"I feel that it's great, I love to clean," Gonzalez told us back then.
Over the years, Benny has found all kinds of items discarded on the roadside.
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His passion has been returning the valuable items he finds to their rightful owners.
It's brought him joy all these years.
And today in New Brunswick, a grateful community got a chance to thank him for his service.
(Some video provided by northjersey.com)
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