2007
George Brewer. For his work as a host parent and trip administrator for Healing the Children, George Brewer of Wayne was presented 2007 Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference and a cash grant of $50,000. For more than 20 years, Brewer and his wife have been hosting children who come to the U.S. for medical treatment. Additionally, Brewer has made eight visits to the Dominican Republic as trip administrator for the group’s International Medical Trips Program.

Dana Katzman-Spett of Mahwah, founder of Pony Power Therapies, won the $35,000 award for her work with disabled children and adults who gain flexibility, balance, muscle strength, confidence and self-esteem while riding horseback. Her organization serves more than 200 clients living with disorders including autism, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and depression, providing a safe and nurturing environment.

Jamie Lauren Cohen of Livingston saved two children from drowning during her holiday break from pre-med studies at the University of Michigan last December. For her quick actions last December, and for her work as founder and driving force behind the Roseville Project – a program to provide holiday cheer to underserved children in Newark, she was presented the $25,000 award.

2006
Sa’idah Sharif. Through a chance encounter with a victim of domestic abuse, Sa’idah Sharif of Roselle experienced a personal call to help Muslim victims of domestic violence, drawing on her knowledge of Islamic culture to found the state’s first support service for members of the Islamic community.

Father Ronald Stanley. For the last 30 years, this Catholic campus chaplain has traveled to a small village in the remote mountains of the Dominican Republic to help build a stronger community. For the last decade, he has enlisted the aid of college students who travel with him and live among the poor farming families as they work to bridge the gap between the First and Third World peoples.

Anthony Marzocca. 17-year-old, Anthony Marzocca of Wayne, worked alongside his father to pull two children from a burning car after it hit tree and burst into flames. In 2001, he rescued a skier in distress who had skied off a cliff. For both actions, Anthony was recognized by the National Court of Honor for the Boy Scouts of America.

2005
Joann Tyler of Mine Hill. Joann Tyler’s heart is filled with love - for her three birth children, her seven adopted children and more than 20 foster children, many with special needs. In addition, Joann is now feeding the homeless, preparing breakfast and dinner for more than 50 people a day.

David Butler, MD of Norwood, who for 13 year has made two to three visits per year to Haiti's Hôpital Sacré Coeur to provide obstetrical and gynecologic surgery services to poor and underserved women who travel as far as 20 miles for care. Each day, Butler performs five to eight surgeries and sees between 70 and 100 patients.

2004
Haley Rae Reimbold of Roosevelt is an extraordinary leader, who from a very young age developed and directed programs as a volunteer for the Red Cross, all while heading up numerous community outreach projects.

William Thomas of Rahway jumped into the frigid waters of the Rahway River to rescue a pregnant women trapped by her partially submerged car.

Kathleen Pearson of Brick saved the life of a pregnant mother and her four-year-old son after a Christmas Eve automobile accident caused by a drunk driver.

2003
John West, James Sylvester and Thomas Stewart III, all of Camden County, lost their lives in a blaze that also claimed the lives of three children they were trying to rescue. Together, these firefighters dedicated more than 53 years of service to the Gloucester City and Mount Ephraim fire departments.

Roberta Vickery of Pine Beach, blind from birth, is a retired physical therapist and founder of Ocean County Volunteers for the Blind, providers of taped and Brailled materials at no cost to clients for over 30 years.

Frances Jackson of Jersey City was injured when she pushed three children to safety and out of the path of a drunk driver speeding through the intersection where she is a crossing guard.

2002*
James Heenan of Westville, a volunteer with Verga Fire Company in West Deptford, perished from injuries received while attempting to rescue residents from a fire.

Susan A. Nobleman of Green Village launched the Teen Institute of the Garden State (TIGS) and The Willow Tree, programs that motivate teens to make a positive difference in their communities.

Dr. Anna E. Sweany of Middletown founded Our Lady of Providence Free Medical Clinic in Neptune to serve the working poor without medical insurance.

*Special recognition also was granted to twelve heroes of September 11, 2001.

2001
Sandra Ramos of Ringwood founded the nation’s first battered women's shelter in 1970 and continues to serve as director of Strengthen Our Sisters.

Dana Leigh Christmas of Paterson endangered her own life to save others when fire broke out in a dormitory at Seton Hall University.

Joseph C. Martoccia of Pompton Lakes founded and was an active member of the First Aid Squad since its inception in 1936, accepting his award at the age of 97.

2000
Terrence Hoben of Bound Brook was responsible for rescuing approximately 300 Bound Brook residents during floods caused by Hurricane Floyd.

Carey Jenkins of Wyckoff founded Operation Link Up to bring together volunteers who mentor West Paterson high school students who wish to pursue a college education.

Claude "Pops" Kranik of Totowa responded to 515 service calls in a single year as a volunteer with Totowa’s First Aid Squad and Fire Department and the West Paterson Fire Department.

1999
Beverly Turner of Irvington, who is single and has a disability, adopted 13 children with serious medical conditions.

James C. Joiner of Paterson, a school principal, founded an after-school mentoring and recreation program.

Freddie Hoffman of River Edge has made raising money for the Leukemia Foundation his lifelong mission.

1998
Paul Burns of Bogota founded Salt of the Earth to assist the homeless in Hackensack.

Patricia Williams Chisolm of Short Hills, foster mother to 126 children, founded Children Together, a pilot program to allow siblings to stay together.

Jerry Gray of Irvington suffered severe burns when he and his best friend ran into a burning building to save children who lived there. His friend lost his life.

1997
Jean Webster of Atlantic City fed disadvantaged people every day, frequently from her own pocket and in her own home.

Richard and Maureen Kanka of Hamilton Township founded the Megan Nicole Kanka Foundation to increase public awareness about the danger posed to children by convicted sex offenders.

Reverend Edwin D. Leahy O.S.B., of Newark is headmaster of St. Benedict’s Prep, where more than 95 percent of the school’s graduates have gone on to higher learning.