THE RUSS BERRIE AWARD FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE
UNCOMMON RECOGNITION FOR UNCOMMON ACTS
December 2013 Dear Community Leader: Every year, the Russell Berrie Foundation grants up to eleven recognition awards to “unsung heroes” in New Jersey who have made uncommon contributions to the common good. The major annual awards range up to $50,000, $35,000, and $25,000, plus up to eight runner-up awards of $5,000. Russell Berrie was the founder and chairman of the Russ Berrie Company. As he built his business into a successful, international company, Mr. Berrie sought ways to give something back to the community. He realized that in addition to those who generously provide charitable gifts, there are many unsung heroes who daily give of themselves to help their neighbors. Russ founded the Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference in 1997 to recognize those who make the world a better place. For example, Dana Katzman-Spett of Mahwah, New Jersey founded and leads Pony Power Therapies. By combining her love of horses and her experience in social work she and her 200 volunteers help more than 200 clients who are living with disabilities. Now Pony Power Therapies has locations in Mahwah and Leonia, New Jersey. You can help us recognize other “unsung heroes” by nominating a New Jersey resident whose deeds are carried out in the state. A nominee could be recognized for a lifetime of service, like Ms. Spett, or for a single act, like James Baber who saved the life of a 72-year-old woman, who tripped and fell onto the tracks of the Journal Square station as a PATH train approached. James, who saw the scene from the overhead platform jumped onto the tracks after her and pulled the woman to safety before the train arrived. We are reaching out to community leaders like you through print and social media in hopes that you will nominate deserving people from your community. An Advisory Board of prominent New Jersey citizens will select the “unsung heroes” to receive the awards for 2014. Please feel free to pass along the enclosed brochure (request more if needed). If you have questions, or would like to submit an online nomination, please visit our website at http:// berrieawards.ramapo.edu. You may also call 201.684.7179 for more information. Nominations must be postmarked by February 14, 2014. Thank you for your help in identifying worthy nominees for the Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference. With all best wishes,
Angelica Berrie President Russell Berrie Foundation
Peter P. Mercer President Ramapo College of New Jersey Co-Chair, Advisory Board
Josh Weston Honorary Chairman Automatic Data Processing, Inc. Chair, Advisory Board
THE RUSS BERRIE AWARD FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE
UNCOMMON RECOGNITION FOR UNCOMMON ACTS
NOMINATION FORM
(Please return by February 14, 2014, instructions on back)
Nominator Name:
Circle One: Mr. / Mrs. / Miss / Ms.
Address: City, State, Zip, County: Telephone/Fax: Cell Phone: Title: Occupation: Business Address: City, State, Zip: Telephone/Fax: E-mail: How did you learn about the Berrie Award?
Direct Mail: ____ Newspaper: ____ Radio: _____
A Past Recipient: ____ Internet: ____ Email Outreach: ____ Facebook: ____ Twitter: ____ Linked In: ____ Other: ____________________________
Person Nominated Name:
Circle One: Mr. / Mrs. / Miss / Ms.
Address: City, State, Zip, County: Telephone/Fax: Cell Phone: Title: Occupation: Business Address: City, State, Zip: (Continued on back)
Please return form postmarked no later than February 14, 2014 to: The Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference c/o Dr. Peter P. Mercer, President Ramapo College of New Jersey 505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, New Jersey 07430-1623 Or submit online at: http://berrieawards. ramapo.edu Or Email: madaawards@ ramapo.edu
NOMINATION FORM Person Nominated cont. Telephone/Fax: E-mail: Date/Time Period “unsung hero” made a difference: Can we contact the nominee if additional information is required? To the best of your knowledge, has this person previously been nominated? How many years have you known the nominee, and in what capacity?
Or fax to: 201.684.7950
Please type or print clearly: In 200-400 words, describe the reason for this nomination. Please be sure to describe the actions that warrant the nomination and tell us in what way the person is an “unsung hero.” Please comment on the following in your response: 1. The contribution this individual has made to society and what impact it has made. 2. Th e outstanding, uncommon and unique qualities, skills and abilities that make this individual an “unsung hero.” 3. The nominee must live in New Jersey and have performed their good deed in New Jersey. If the reason for this nomination is community service, please comment on the individual’s vision, leadership abilities, creativity and initiative for what they are seeking to accomplish. If the reason for the nomination is a single act of heroism, please comment on the individual’s initiative, motivation and the degree of risk involved in the act. Please limit attached supplementary materials (such as news accounts) to no more than six pages in support of this nomination. This allows stronger consideration of your nomination. I have attached _____ pages of supporting materials to this nomination form.
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