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Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award Press Media Press
For media inquiries about the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award or to reach honorees for interviews, please contact:

Meredith Lee

Program Director

Quick Facts

The Making a Difference Award was established in 1997 by the late Russell Berrie, a New Jersey-based entrepreneur and CEO of Russ Berrie & Company.
Established in 199701
The Award honors individuals who make New Jersey a better place — through service to others, to their communities, or by an act of extraordinary heroism.
Making NJ Better02
The Award program is supported by the Russell Berrie Foundation and managed by Ramapo College of New Jersey.
Support03
A total of 440 individuals have been recognized since 1997.
440 Honorees04
More than $4.3 million has been awarded to New Jersey residents since 1997.
Over $4.3 Million05
Honorees are located in every county in New Jersey.
Statewide06
Honorees range in age from nine years old to ninety years old.
From 9- 90 Years Old07
In the News

Recent Media Coverage

May 2025

A Dance Through Time: Sharron Miller Celebrates 30 Years

Montclair Local
After conquering Juilliard, Broadway and New York, Miller moved back home to Montclair – creating Sharron Miller’s Academy of the Performing Arts (SMAPA).
May 2025

What drives this young Red Bank woman to be an immigrant advocate? Her father was deported

Asbury Park Press
Flores-Castillo is a 2025 recipient of the Russ Berrie Foundation’s Make a Difference Award, one of 10 New Jersyans to receive a prize for helping others.
May 2025

East Brunswick’s Bill Keegan, Founder of Heart 911, Receives Award for Inspiring Public Service

TAPIntro East Brunswick
William Keegan of East Brunswick, founder of HEART 9/11 back in 2019 was a Port Authority Police lieutenant during the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and served as Night Operations Commander of the WTC Recovery Teams.
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