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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 2026

This North Jersey mover and shaker won a 2026 Russ Berrie award

NorthJersey.com
From restoring trails to growing food and cleaning up long-neglected land, Violet Reed has quietly transformed North Jersey, and now she’s being honored with a 2026 Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award for Transformational Leadership.
May 2026

Op-Ed: Newark’s young voters were ready. The system was not

NJ Spotlight News
Amanda Ebokosia is founder and CEO of The Gem Project Inc. and convener of the Youth Power Action Coalition, based in Newark.
May 2026

30 YEARS OF IMPACT: RUSS BERRIE MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARD HONORS 30 UNSUNG HEROES, INCLUDING 15 GEN Z HONOREES

The Paramus Post
Russell Berrie Foundation Celebrates Honorees at 30th Annual Ceremony, Highlights a Legacy That Lives on Through the Next Generation
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