(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)May 20, 1999

Mother of 13, Founder of Inner-City Mentoring Program and Fundraising Crusader Awarded Up To $50,000

(Mahwah) — The Russell Berrie Foundation today announced the winners of the third annual Making a Difference Award during ceremonies held at Ramapo College of New Jersey. Established as a way to recognize New Jersey’s unsung heroes, the Foundation awarded a first prize of $50,000 to Beverly Turner for devotion to children with special needs, a second prize of $35,000 to James Joiner for his establishment of Rescuing Inner Sity Kids (RISK), and a third prize of $25,000 to Frederick Hoffman for his extraordinary fundraising work on behalf of the Leukemia Foundation.

The award, founded by Russ Berrie, founder, chairman and CEO of the Oakland-based Russ Berrie and Company, Inc. and Dr. Robert A. Scott, president of Ramapo College, was started as a way to recognize New Jersey’s unsung heroes, who continually sacrifice for others but are seldom known beyond the community they serve. Berrie and Scott presented the prizes to the recipients. The program is administered by Ramapo College.

“I have long been looking for a way to recognize those who continually sacrifice for others,” said Berrie. “The Making A Difference Award has proven to be an excellent way to honor deserving individuals for whom the award will make a significant difference in their own lives.”

In addition to the top three awards, 14 awards of $2,500 were presented. Nearly 200 submissions were received from around the state and were reviewed by the Awards Selection Committee, composed of distinguished state business leaders and professionals. Criteria included an act of unusual heroism or extraordinary community service.

“Ramapo College is proud and honored to be connected with the Making A Difference Award,” said Scott. “The Award and Mr. Berrie’s example continue to inspire not only the members of our college community, but also residents throughout the state.”

Beverly Turner was honored for her extraordinary dedication to children with special needs. She herself suffers from myasthenia gravis, a form of muscular dystrophy, but she has never allowed that to slow her down. Told as a teenager that she would be unable to bear children, she decided to dedicate her life to caring for disadvantaged and handicapped children. Today, Beverly has 13 children, eight of whom she has adopted, three who have been placed in her custody by the courts, and two who would otherwise be living in homeless shelters. Through her courage and tenacity, Turner has obtained a 16-room house in Irvington. She and her children have brought great happiness and energy to their neighborhood.

James C. Joiner was honored for founding Rescuing Inner Sity Kids (RISK), a non-profit organization that helps inner-city middle school students. Using a holistic approach, this program combines education, recreation, social development and mentoring. Joiner left corporate America in 1992 in order to dedicate his time, skills, and spirit to working with inner city children to instill in them the desire to better themselves and the lives they touch around them.

Freddie Hoffman, a special education graduate from the River Dell Regional School District, was honored for his dedication over the last ten years to raising money for the Leukemia Foundation. He has done so in memory of his mother who died of the disease 12 years ago. Leukemia also has claimed the lives of 20 of his family members. For 10 months of the year, Hoffman operates his fundraising campaign, single-handedly soliciting pledges from March to June. He then personally collects pledges, by bicycle, from September through December. He has raised over $332,000, traveled 285,000 volunteer miles and has dedicated a tota1 of 623,000 hours of volunteerism. Hoffman, who was brain damaged at birth, has never allowed his disability to stand in the way of his mission.

Russ Berrie and Company, Inc. is headquartered in Oakland, New Jersey. The company designs, develops and distributes more than 6,000 seasonal and everyday gift products to retailers worldwide. Its diverse range of products includes everything from teddy bears and stuffed animals to baby gifts, picture frames, candles, figurines and home décor gifts.

Berrie was recently named one of the “Forty Most Generous Americans” by Fortune magazine. He also has been recognized by many organizations for his strong commitment to education, health care and interreligious affairs.

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s
liberal arts college, serving nearly 5,000 undergraduate and graduate
students from more than 20 states and 50 nations. The College recently
named its newly opened center for performing and visual arts in
honor of both Berrie and his wife, Angelica.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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