2025 Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award
Call for Nominations
It’s time to nominate community changemakers for the 2025 Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award.
Who do you know who deserves recognition for creating impact and making a positive change in their community? Nominate your friends or neighbors, community leaders and advocates . . . people who are making New Jersey a better place to live.
Deadline for entry: February 7, 2025
Nominate Later:
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.
Nominate someone today for a Making a Difference Award
Deadline for entry: February 7, 2025
Generous Recognition for Honorees
Along with public recognition, Honorees will receive cash awards. In 2025, we will award more than $150,000 to Honorees.
It only takes a few minutes to nominate someone you work with, volunteer with, or know about through their efforts and commitment to doing good for others.
The 2024 Making a Difference Honorees
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.
Environmental Conservation, Sustainability and Justice Bloom in North Jersey Community Gardens, Thanks to Jose German-Gomez
Many New Jersey residents of urban low-income communities lack easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables and the green spaces these gardens provide. Jose German-Gomez launched the Northeast Earth Coalition (NEEC) to protect the environment and promote local sustainability and food security at the community level. NEEC’s programs fulfill its mission with community outreach, urban growers, a community food network, and environmental initiatives.
Honoring Remarkable Foster and Adoptive Parents—Changing the Course of Children’s Lives to Create Brighter Futures
May is National Foster Care Awareness Month; it is a month to honor, celebrate, and raise awareness of all the issues related to foster care. The Russ Berrie Foundation shines a spotlight on these selfless and caring honorees making a difference in the lives of foster children.
Introducing the 2025 Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award Honorees
The Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award annual ceremony celebrates the 2025 Honorees, inspiring individuals who are tackling societal issues and creating positive change for New Jersey residents and in their communities.
Recent Press & Media
Gilman Choudhury with his Robotics team
The 2025 Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award
Ready To Nominate a NJ Changemaker?
Deadline for entry: February 7, 2025