The Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference

Honoring New Jersey’s Unsung Heroes

The Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference celebrates New Jersey’s unsung heroes—everyday people whose extraordinary volunteer efforts have made a real difference in the lives of others. Created in 1997, the annual award program honors nineteen individuals who have performed outstanding community service or an act of heroism. A selection committee comprised of New Jersey business leaders and professionals chooses the unsung heroes from a pool of several hundred nominees and awards the top three with cash prizes of $50,000, $35,000 and $25,000. Sixteen other finalists are distinguished with cash prizes of $2,500.

"Russ wanted to create an award specifically for unsung heroes—people who really make a difference by dedicating their lives to improving life or helping others," said Russell Berrie Foundation President Angelica Berrie.

(From left to right): Bea Napier was awarded the $25,000 Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference for her work with the Township of Washington volunteer ambulance corp; North Bergen resident Angelica Mercado received $50,000 for assisting a truck driver whose truck flipped and exploded; Kevin J. Williams of Maywood was awarded $35,000 for his work with an organization he established, the Maywood Rotary Kenya Project; and Angelica Berrie, president of the Russell Berrie Foundation who oversees the annual awards program. Photo by Carolyn Herring

The first recipients of the award included Richard and Maureen Kanka of Hamilton, N.J., parents of Megan and creators of “Megan’s Law.” Thanks to the foundation they created, all 50 states have enacted a "Megan's Law.”

2009 Russ Berrie Award for Making a Diference

The 13th Annual Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference took placed on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at Ramapo College.

The top winner in 2009 was Angelica Mercado of North Bergen. Last November, Mercado was driving to work at Holy Name Hospital when she came upon a gasoline tanker that had flipped over and exploded. The driver, engulfed in flames, was dazed and walking near his truck. Mercado pulled her car off the road, ran to him and screamed for him to drop to the ground. When he didn't, she pushed him to the ground and smothered the flames with her coat. Mercado thought the gasoline tanker might explode and decided that the situation was too urgent to wait for emergency responders. Mercado drove to the closest emergency room where the driver was diagnosed with second and third degree burns over 40 percent of his body. Healthcare professionals believe that Mercado's quick actions saved the man's life.

Kevin J. Williams of Maywood won $35,000 for his tireless efforts and hard work with the Maywood Rotary Kenya Project, an organization he founded in 2003. Williams efforts has raised funds to build the first fresh water well for schoolchildren and people in surrounding villages, allowed children to have a well-balanced meal each day, school supplies, textbooks, a library and school uniforms. In addition, his motivation and persistence have sent two entire eighth grade classes to high school.

The $25,000 award went to Bea Napier of Township of Washington who has volunteered with the Washington Township Ambulance Corps for over 35 years. In that time, she has made more than 5,000 calls, used CPR to save 19 lives and assisted with three childbirths. In addition to this, Napier has volunteered weekly at the Padre Pio homeless shelter in the Bronx for over 18 years.

Please click here to view all of the 2009 winners.

Please click the following link to read more about past Russ Berrie Award winners: http://www.ramapo.edu/news/specialevents/berrieawards/pastwinners.html

The Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference is presented each year in partnership with Ramapo College of New Jersey, the state's leading public liberal arts college.

2010 Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference

Do you know someone who has Made a Difference in your local NJ community? Nomination forms for the 2010 Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference will be available in Fall 2009.

As heard on WNYC 93.9 FM

The following Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award sound clip recently aired on National Public Radio- WNYC.

Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference is Highlighted in NJ Star Ledger

The following article was published in the February 12, 2009 issue of the Star Ledger.