Russ Berrie Award Seeks To Honor Those Who Stepped Up Amid COVID

MAHWAH, NJ — In 2020, a number of unsung heroes rose to the challenge to help their neighbors during an unprecedented year in which death and illness were the storyline, above all else.

Now, those people have a chance to be recognized, as nominations for the 25th annual Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award are being accepted.

The award, established in 1997 by the late Russell Berrie ­– founder of Russ Berrie and Company, Inc. and the Russell Berrie Foundation – and Ramapo College of New Jersey, honors New Jerseyans who have made significant differences in their communities.

"2020 has been a challenging year – the devastation brought by COVID-19, the loss of lives, businesses and social connections, and horrific incidents of racial injustice," said Angelica Berrie, Russell Berrie Foundation President.

"We’ve seen people around our state answer those challenges in inspiring ways. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Making a Difference Award, we want to celebrate and honor those who truly embrace the purpose of our awards and demonstrate our belief that nothing is more important in life than helping a fellow human being."

Members of the community are invited to nominate a fellow New Jerseyan and give them the chance to be recognized for their service.

Recent winners include Chief Vincent Mann of the Ramapough Lenape Nation, who won in 2016 after starting a grassroots effort that persuaded the EPA to reopen for further cleanup a Superfund site.

Each year, the Making a Difference Award presents $50,000 to one winner, $25,000 to two runners-up, and up to $7,500 to several others at a ceremony hosted by Ramapo College, which manages the awards program on behalf of the Russell Berrie Foundation.

To date, the award has given $3.5 million to 366 people, according to a news release.

"I never expected or thought doing what was necessary would earn me the honor of the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award," said Linda Gillick, 2015 Honoree, Founder, Ocean of Love, Toms River. "This award showed me that when you believe in something and you try to safeguard the life of your community, others are watching and paying attention."

Nominees will be reviewed by an Advisory Board co-chaired by Irene Cooper-Basch, Ph.D., executive officer of the Victoria Foundation, and Peter P. Mercer, J.D., Ph.D., Ramapo College President.

The Board, comprised of prominent New Jersey business and nonprofit leaders, will evaluate nominations submitted by individuals, community groups, houses of worship, educators, representatives of the media, and others.

Awards will be presented at a virtual ceremony in May 2021.

The nomination form is available online at berrieawards.ramapo.edu, and the deadline for entries is Feb. 12.