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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
More than 450 individuals have been recognized since 1997.
440 Honorees04
More than $4.4 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

July 2026

Families Shop for Food and Leave Stigma Behind At Newark’s Newest Free Market

TAPInto Newark
Maria Torres, a 2021 Honoree, is UCC Director of Food Assistance
June 206

Maplewood Pivots From Community Food Shed to New Program & Distribution Center

The Village Green
Maplewood is partnering with United Community Corporation (UCC) on Community Food Access + at 129 Boyden Avenue. The new program “is designed to provide more reliable and equitable food distribution, along with connections to additional support services,”
June 2026

From Old Playground to Food Source: New Community Garden to Feed Wayne Families

TAP Into Wayne
City Green provided a $5,000 “Dig-In” grant to start the project.
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