The Making a Difference Award is
Passing the Torch to the Next Generation!
In 2026, the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award will celebrate Gen Z Changemakers. As the award program ends after 30 years, the final awards will be presented to Gen Z young people who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to creating positive change in their NJ communities through leadership, service, advocacy, or innovation.
These young leaders will receive recognition and cash awards to fuel their mission and passion to serve.
Nominations open on January 1 and will close on February 13, 2026.
If you know a Gen Z leader ages 16- 24 who should be recognized, sign up to get reminders to nominate!
Making a Difference
Established in 1997 by the late Russell Berrie, and managed and hosted by Ramapo College of New Jersey, 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.
Learn more about this unique award and the impact it’s had for nearly 30 years.
Past Honorees
From the Blog
The work of our past honorees, who have tackled important issues, continues to make profound differences for NJ residents. Learn more about these remarkable individuals through their stories.
Saranne Rothberg: Meeting Cancer Head-On with Humor
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the perfect time to shine our light on Saranne Rothberg, a 2003 Making a Difference Award Honoree. A stage IV triple negative breast cancer survivor, Saranne founded ComedyCures in 1999 after her cancer diagnosis.
Meet Lewis Spears: Transforming Lives Among Jersey City’s Youth at Risk
As a middle school teacher, Lewis Spears saw so many young men failing to thrive and barely surviving school. They were being disciplined, detained and suspended, and doing poorly academically, stuck in a cycle without positive opportunities for their future. He set out to change that when he launched Kismet of Kings in 2013.
Cathy Carisi and Camp Acorn: Transforming Lives With Joy for People with Disabilities
Founded in 2001, Camp Acorn offers various recreational, therapeutic, instructional, and social programs for children and adults with special needs throughout the year.
Recent Press & Media
