Despite the growing difficulties of our day, we don’t have to wait for a hero. Heroes already exist; they frequently work unselfishly and unacknowledged to address issues and make lives better.
There are people in your neighborhood who are significantly influencing and igniting change across New Jersey if you look around.
Nearly 30 years ago, my late father, Russell Berrie, and the trustees of The Russell Berrie Foundation established the Making a Difference Award to recognize changemakers from throughout the Garden State for their inspirational leadership, commitment, and selflessness.
Since 1997, the Award has given more than $4 million to support the work of 440 people from New Jersey’s collective network for positive change, ranging in age from nine to ninety.
Making a difference frequently entails taking tiny efforts toward resolving large issues, which is one lesson I’ve learnt from this program. Several of our honorees have triumphed against hardship and made the decision to assist those facing like challenges. The environment, human health and dignity, education, the arts and culture, and other objectives have all been addressed by others.
Rather of being passive, these unsung individuals transformed their compassion into action, addressing injustice and inequality, strengthening communities, and fostering hope.
Every one of us has the capacity to change things. I’m sharing tactics we’ve learned from the heroes we’ve celebrated over the years because I’ve repeatedly witnessed how ordinary individuals can inspire others by taking remarkable action.
Ten exceptional people are being honored with the 2025 Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award for their leadership, devotion, and commitment to uplifting their communities, which has a profound impact on the lives of innumerable people and the wider globe.
If my father were still with us, he would encourage us to take inspiration from changemakers and not merely honor them. His motto was straightforward: Assisting fellow humans is the most significant thing in life. Come celebrate that energy with me, be motivated, get active, and change the world.
Go to https://russberriemakingadifferenceaward.org to learn more about the Making a Difference Award.
