As the Making a Difference Award shifts to recognize Gen Z leaders in 2026, we look back at some Honorees whose work to improve communities and the lives of NJ residents began in their teens or college years.
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.
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.
Founded in 2001, Camp Acorn offers various recreational, therapeutic, instructional, and social programs for children and adults with special needs throughout the year.
Larry Abrams founded BookSmiles to combat the “book deserts” in underserved communities. The nonprofit collects and distributes used children’s books to promote childhood literacy and works to prevent the literacy summer slide students experience.
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.
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.
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.
In observance of World Autism Month, we feature Nadine Wright-Arbubakrr of East Orange, a Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award Honoree who created Nassan’s Place, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides accessible, affordable educational and recreational programs and other support services for children and families affected by autism in and around New Jersey’s inner-city communities.
Fraidy Reiss, founder of the nonprofit organization Unchained At Last, is working to end forced and child marriage and create laws prohibiting it throughout the entire U.S.
