Russ Berrie Making A Difference Award

As we conclude our honoree spotlight series, we're honored to recognize these Grow the Ripple of Positive Change recipients whose service reflects the very spirit of the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award. ⭐️

Nominated by Amy Ebeling on behalf of 1998 honoree Nancy Woods, Paul Shackford has dedicated 40 years to Family Promise, helping families experiencing homelessness access shelter, financial education, and long-term support services that create pathways to stability. Learn more: https://loom.ly/za2RJqQ.

Nominated by 2023 honoree Robt Seda-Schreiber, Terry McMillian serves as a mentor and advocate at the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, helping create safe, welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, families, and community members. Learn more: https://loom.ly/n7-Lrpw.

Nominated by 2024 honoree Phyllis Di Nardi, Christine Baugh leads We Are Loved’s Comfort Bag and Birthday Box programs, helping provide comfort, dignity, and hope to more than 750 children in foster care across six New Jersey counties. Learn more: https://loom.ly/KbARGXU

Thank you for joining us as we shared the stories of the remarkable 2026 Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award honorees. While this is the final year of the award, the ripple effect will continue through the changemakers, organizations, and communities whose lives have been transformed by their service. 🩵

Our final Gen Z Changemaker spotlight honors young leaders who are carrying forward the spirit of making a difference through service, innovation, and leadership. ⭐️

Giuliana Demma founded Gs Giving Gowns after recognizing that children receiving medical treatment deserve comfort and dignity. What began with custom pediatric hospital gowns at age 11 has grown into a volunteer-driven initiative that has supported more than 3,000 patients across 47 states and 9 countries. Learn more: https://loom.ly/msPY1Bc

Sri Nihal Tammana founded Recycle My Battery, a global movement that has recycled more than 750,000 used batteries while engaging hundreds of schools and more than 1,000 student leaders to raise awareness about the environmental and health impacts of improper battery disposal. Learn more: https://loom.ly/fnwPrnA

Through Neighborhood Collaborative Community Gardens, Erielys Vicente mentors young Camden residents in urban agriculture, sustainability, and food justice, helping empower future environmental leaders while supporting healthier, greener neighborhoods throughout Camden. Learn more: https://loom.ly/bCYmMUI

Stay tuned as we conclude our honoree spotlight series and celebrate the final group of 2026 Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award recipients. 🩵

From women’s health advocacy to immigrant community support, these Grow the Ripple of Positive Change honorees are helping create stronger support systems for communities in New Jersey. ⭐️

Nominated by 2024 honoree Nadine Wright-Arbubakrr, Dr. Alice Terrell-Bryant founded the Lemonaid Foundation for Endometriosis to advocate for women’s health equity, raise awareness about endometriosis, and support women and families navigating the disease, particularly African-American women facing disparities in reproductive healthcare. Learn more: https://loom.ly/CwHB2tw.

Nominated by 2012 honoree Blanca Molina, Beatriz Rodriguez has spent 25 years advocating through Centro Comunitario CEUS for immigrant families and Temporary Protected Status holders facing uncertainty, fear, and barriers to legal protections.

Nominated by 2012 honoree Blanca Molina, Kathleen Lynn strengthened Centro Comunitario CEUS’ ability to support Hispanic immigrant communities as a volunteer and board member providing essential leadership in grant writing and development. Learn more about CEUS: https://loom.ly/YhTTz0Q.

More honoree spotlights coming soon. 🩵

recently featured Grow the Ripple of Positive Change honoree Violet Reed and her selection as a 2026 Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award recipient for Transformational Leadership. 📰

The article highlights Reed’s leadership of the Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization (MEVO), a youth-led nonprofit advancing sustainability initiatives including community farming, hiking trail restoration projects, and environmental remediation work on Stag Hill, the ancestral home of the Ramapough Lenape Nation.

As the Award marks its 30th anniversary and final year, Violet’s story reflects the lasting ripple effect of community leadership and the next generation of changemakers carrying that mission forward in New Jersey.

Read the full article here: https://loom.ly/buQZcLs.

These Gen Z changemakers are using education, advocacy, and public service to create lasting change in their communities and beyond. ⭐️

Medicine Encompassed founder Aliza Lopez mobilized a global youth team of more than 400 students to create over 500 health education resources across 18 medical specialties, creating a platform where students learn about health care careers. Learn more: https://loom.ly/qmHEJy4.

Boys & Girls Club of Clifton Athletics lifelong member Alias Ragsdale has championed youth leadership and community engagement initiatives while serving his city through public service, later becoming the youngest elected Board of Education member in Clifton. Learn more: https://loom.ly/KDx6bwo.

Bergen County LGBTQ Alliance volunteer Eddi Raymond mentors and advocates for LGBTQ+ youth across New Jersey through leadership roles focused on equality, inclusion, and creating safe spaces for young people. Learn more: https://loom.ly/e4fsFws.

Follow along as we share the stories behind this year’s honorees. 🩵

BINJE recently featured the 30th Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award honorees, spotlighting the remarkable individuals and organizations creating positive change in New Jersey.

Since the program began in 1997, 485 honorees representing all 21 New Jersey counties have received recognition and support for their work improving communities throughout the state. Together, the Award has invested more than $4.7 million into community-based initiatives.

The article also highlights this year’s historic focus on Gen Z changemakers, recognizing young leaders ages 16 to 24 who are addressing challenges ranging from environmental sustainability and mental health advocacy to public speaking accessibility and maternal health equity.

Read the full article here: https://loom.ly/SodV8Vc.

Through our Grow the Ripple of Positive Change nomination process, we’re proud to recognize honorees nominated by our network of 450+ previous Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award recipients. ⭐️

Nominated by Nadine Marran on behalf of 2008 honoree Ray Chimileski, Mona Patel founded Urban Revival Center to provide youth and families in New Brunswick with tutoring, mentorship, sports programs, ESL classes, financial literacy resources, and year-round community support programs. Learn more: https://loom.ly/DgOX4JQ.

Nominated by 2019 honoree Melina Garcia, Louis Quinones founded Community Lifestyle to break barriers for Hudson County youth through free after-school programs, summer camps, sports, workforce training, and mentorship opportunities designed to create safe spaces for students to grow and lead. Learn more: https://loom.ly/dNu1u_A.

Nominated by 2018 honoree Tricia Baker, Katelyn Baker helped develop AIR Therapy Dogs: Paws For Minds, a therapy dog program that has trained more than 75 dogs in New Jersey and 30 in the Philadelphia region to support student mental health, emotional wellness, and su***de prevention efforts. Learn more: https://loom.ly/KwV0pZE.

Join us as we continue celebrating this year’s honorees. 🩵

Moving forward with our 2026 honoree spotlights, we’re highlighting these Gen Z changemakers representing the next generation of leadership, advocacy, and community impact in New Jersey. ⭐️

After undergoing two stem cell transplants, Ezra Fineman launched the HyperIgM Podcast to support other patients navigating the disease, while leading a donor registration campaign that has already helped secure two life-saving donor matches while raising awareness for rare immune disorders. Learn more: https://loom.ly/WOhoqtI.

Girls; Live, Love, Laugh Inc. and The Gem Project alumna Rashanna James-Frison is the author of “The Black Unicorn: A Daughter from Newark”, and has created a movement focused on scholarship, literacy, leadership, and community service to empower young girls. Learn more: https://loom.ly/NJiGNIM.

Wins Inc founding student member Lakita Lloyd mentors and inspires young women in Newark through SHE Wins Inc., a leadership and social action organization for middle and high school girls, using her lived experience with quadriplegia to spark resilience and positive change. Learn more: https://loom.ly/gZFlT-E.

Stay tuned as we continue highlighting the stories behind this year’s honorees. 🩵