Russ Berrie
Making a Difference Award
Since 1997, the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award has honored 430 New Jersey residents for their outstanding and heroic service. Recipients, ranging from teens to senior citizens across the state, have made significant impacts through their resilience, dedication, and passion for positive change.
Our 2025 nomination campaign will open in January. If you’d like to receive notifications about the campaign and links to the nomination form, click the button below.
Our 2024 Making a Difference Honorees
28th Anniversary Russ Berrie Making a Difference Honoree Presentation
Making a Difference
Past Honorees
From the Blog
Meet Gary Oppenheimer: Connecting Gardeners to Food Pantries to Fight Hunger
Our third subject for Hunger Action Month is Gary Oppenheimer, a 2011 MADA honoree and founder of AmpleHarvest.org, a nonprofit that connects gardeners with food pantries for surplus donations.
Claudia Wheeler – Fighting Food Waste Through the SALT Foundation
Claudia Wheeler founded the SALT Foundation in 2017 to fight food waste by rescuing surplus food for those in need. Her efforts focus on food security, community health, and outreach.
Meet Tanya & Matthew Veltz of Tree House Cares: Working to Build a Healthier Community in the Newark Area
Tanya and Matthew Veltz founded Tree House Entertainment Cultural Arts Movement, a nonprofit, in 2017. It provides groceries, clothing, meals, school supplies, health fairs, and community events.
Recent Press & Media
Anti-Violence Coalition of Hudson County to receive $2 million in a grant to allow the organization to respond to non-emergency mental health crisis calls.
