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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 430 individuals have been recognized since 1997.
419 Honorees04
More than $4.2 million has been awarded to New Jersey residents since 1997.
Over $4.1 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

March 2025

NJ Child Founded Pitman-Based Nonprofit to Help People in Need

New Jersey Monthly
Angels Community Outreach in Gloucester County was started by a young girl who had experienced domestic violence and homelessness firsthand.
March 2025

Feeding Neighbors with America’s Grow-a-Row

Plough
How a family gardening project grew into an organization spanning twenty-two states – Chip Paillex
March 2025

Newark EMS Corps Graduates Its First Class Of Students

Newark Patch
Robert Clark, Founder & CEO, Newark Opportunity Youth Network, “Newark EMS Corps is a proven workforce development initiative that will help create jobs in our community, and we look forward to seeing the meaningful opportunities that will be available to these students upon graduation.”
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