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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 408 individuals have been recognized since 1997.
408 Honorees04
More than $3.9 million has been awarded to New Jersey residents since 1997.
Over $3.9 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

Melissa Walker
May 2023

Community Heroes: Melissa Walker helping kids find their voice through jazz in Montclair, N.J.

CBS New York
May 2023

NJ ‘Change-Makers’ Honored At Ramapo College For Service, Heroic Acts

Patch
April 2023

New ‘environmental justice’ rules now in place to protect pollution-choked communities

New Jersey Monitor
Kim Gaddy 2021 Honoree
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