New York, Nov.12 – The J. Luce Foundation proudly announces its partnership with Complete Playground, celebrating a collaborative promotional, cultivating and groundbreaking event for the recently unveiled indoor Complete Playground—a revolutionary, fully inclusive space designed for both typical and special-needs children.

Honoring Real Estate Developer, Complete Gym chain owner, and founder of Complete Playground, Alex Resnik, the J. Luce Foundation recognizes his visionary contribution to the creation of a one-of-a-kind 40,000 sq. ft. indoor playground.

This innovative facility ensures a safe and enjoyable play environment for all children, inspired by Alex’s commitment to meeting the unique needs of his own children and the broader community.

Alex Resnik was presented with the prestigious Luce Foundation Humanitarian Entrepreneur 2023 Award, acknowledging his extraordinary vision and unwavering dedication to this transformative project.

Additionally, the event recognized philanthropic leaders, including John “SohoJohnny” Pasquale, awarded the 2023 “Nonprofit Leadership” honor for his benevolent efforts through the “Let Me Help, Inc.” foundation, supporting those in need through the power of music.  “SohoJohnny” is a regular Renaissance man. He is not only a philanthropist, a major real estate figure with his company Pep Real Estate, an actor, a producer, and a kind-hearted entertainer.

The Clare Boothe Luce Award and the R.Adm. Stephen Bleecker Luce Award for Maritime Leadership were bestowed upon Lorraine Silvetz, MSW, and Robert Silvetz, MD, founders of Global Stress Initiative, in recognition of their outstanding contributions in providing non-invasive treatment to veterans, service members, and survivors of trauma with PTSD since 2010.

Renowned artist Tatyana Horoshko Gegera and engineer/philanthropist Alexander “Sasha” Gegera were honored for their generous donation of exceptional portraits immortalizing founders of various non-profit organizations, including Let Me Help, Inc., The J. Luce Foundation, Global Stress Initiative, The Henderson Foundation, and Operation Warrior Shield. Tatyana and Sasha recently launched their foundation “Portrait of Freedom” whose mission is to support all children’s, especially the underprivileged, development and training in art.

DeCosta Headley of Brooklyn received an award for his outstanding contributions to the community, highlighting his dedication to enhancing the quality of life through initiatives such as college scholarships, employment opportunities, and social services. DeCosta has always been a leader in East New York, and Brownsville, including his post as District Leader for the 40th Assembly district in East New York. He founded the D.R E.A.M. Foundation which serves East New York in a myriad of ways.

The event, attended by a diverse audience, featured performances by world-renowned classical pianist Dr. Chen Wang, musical savant Jewels Harrison, and Quinn Lemley, star of “Rita Hayworth: The Heat is On!”

Jim Luce, founder of the Luce Foundation, emphasized the organization’s impactful work over the past 24 years, spanning Orphans International Worldwide, the Young Global Leadership Foundation, and education centers worldwide.

Several of the Luce Young Global Leaders were recognized for their advocacy and community service during the program. The future is bright with this beautiful team, from a diverse age group, dedicating themselves to making a difference, for the less fortunate, in our world.

For more information about the organizations involved, please visit:

Complete Playground: www.completeplayground.org

Luce Foundation:

www.lucefoundation.org

Global Stress Initiative: www.globalstressinitiative.org

Let Me Help, Inc.:

www.letmehelpinc.org

Portrait of Freedom:

www.portraitoffreedom.com

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TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
IN SOMEONE’S LIFE, YOU
DONT HAVE TO BE BRILLIANT,
RICH. BEAUTIFUL, OR PERFECT.
YOU JUST HAVE TO CARE

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Meredith Lee, Program Director, Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award

Claudia Wheeler, Honoree, Founder, the SALT Foundation, www.SaltFoundationInc.org
https://russberriemakingadifferenceaward.org/honorees/claudia-wheeler/

Rylee Howerton, Honoree, High School Student, Founded the “Choose Wise Words” campaign
https://russberriemakingadifferenceaward.org/honorees/rylee-howerton/

Pamela Johnson, Anti-Violence Coalition Hudson County
https://russberriemakingadifferenceaward.org/honorees/pamela-johnson/

RUSS BERRIE MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARD ANNOUNCES HONOREES FOR THE 27TH ANNUAL CEREMONY
11 NEW JERSEY COMMUNITY CHANGEMAKERS RECOGNIZED FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO OTHERS

Each person knows an individual who gives back to the community by creating positive change. The Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award has been recognizing those changemakers for 27 years — unsung heroes from around New Jersey who demonstrate their passion and unstoppable commitment to serve the most vulnerable.

Established by the late Russell Berrie, funded by the Russell Berrie Foundation, and hosted and managed by Ramapo College of New Jersey, the awards honor New Jersey residents whose outstanding community service and heroic acts have made a substantial impact on the lives of others.

Eleven outstanding changemakers will be honored at the 27th Anniversary Award Ceremony on Friday, May 5, 2023, 11:30am at Ramapo College of New Jersey.

With 419 honorees since the inception of the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award in 1997, more than $4 million in cash awards have been presented to recognize the personal sacrifices and commitments these individuals have made to serve others. Their work is improving people’s lives and making communities stronger. The nominees include community leaders, affinity groups, ethnic and religious organizations, nonprofit leaders, volunteers, among many others in such areas as community service, volunteerism, social justice, community life, environmental issues, and a range of advocacy topics.

“I could not be more inspired by this year’s Making a Difference Award honorees for their efforts ranging from preventing violence to distributing tons of food and supplies weekly to people in need,” said Scott Berrie, vice president of the Russell Berrie Foundation and son of Russ Berrie. “They have incredible dedication to tackling problems, bringing needed solutions that improve people’s lives and strengthen communities throughout New Jersey. It’s an honor to advance and celebrate their efforts.”

This year, awards totaling $160,000 will be presented to 11 honorees.

The 2023 Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award honorees are:

Tia Ryans of Newark founded F.O.R.T.E. House NJ (Forcing Out Recidivism Through Education). Tia was incarcerated for a decade following a traumatic childhood. Determined to change her life, she began taking classes and enrolled in Rutgers following release, graduating in 2019. While at Rutgers, she recognized a need for tools and support for justice impacted students transitioning through postsecondary education and founded F.O.R.T.E. House in Newark. Tia has become a leading advocate for criminal reform and restorative justice in New Jersey. In 2022, she was appointed by Gov. Phil Murphy as a Trustee of the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, the first formerly incarcerated person in that position. Tia will receive the top award of $50,000.

Melissa Walker of Montclair created JAZZ HOUSE KIDS. A professional jazz vocalist, Melissa created JAZZ HOUSE KIDS in 2002 to use jazz, America’s original musical art form, to ignite creativity and enhance students’ academy and social-emotional skills. Afterschool and summer programs provide a supportive creative community for students from diverse backgrounds from 10 New Jersey counties. In school programs reach those in under-resourced schools in Newark and Paterson. Melissa will receive a $25,000 award.

Pamela Johnson of Jersey City founded the Anti-Violence Coalition of Hudson County. After surviving a shooting more 20 years ago, Pamela Johnson was compelled to take action to help other victims of violence. In 2014, she launched a grassroots anti-violence movement in Jersey City, which led the creation of the Anti-Violence Coalition of Hudson County that provides trauma counseling and support for victims and families while also working on violence prevention and de-escalation in communities. Pamela will receive a $25,000 award.

Awards of $7,500 will be presented to:

Christian Kane of Toms River spearheaded RJW Barnabas Health Field of Dreams. A car accident left Christian’s son, Gavin, with traumatic brain injuries and unable to walk or speak. After struggling to access recreational spaces with his son, Christian decided to build a comprehensive recreational facility where children of all abilities and their caretakers would feel at home. Christian spearheaded a multi-year campaign to raise funds and build the RWJ Barnabas Health Field of Dreams in Toms River which opened in 2022.

Rylee Howerton of Vineland launched the “Choose Wise Words” campaign. Diagnosed on the autism spectrum as a child, Rylee overheard other children describe her using an offensive word. That experience resulted in her launching the “Choose Wise Words” campaign which led to a book and speaking opportunities to thousands of people about kindness and inclusivity. Now a high school student, she uses sports and pageants as a platform to share her message.

Claudia Wheeler of East Brunswick launched SALT Foundation. A U.S. Navy veteran and elementary school teacher, Claudia launched the SALT Foundation to provide food and supplies to those in need. This volunteer effort rescues four tons of food weekly and distributes to food pantries, shelters, organizations and churches.

Carol Dvoor of Flemington created the Safe Harbor Child Access Center. A domestic violence survivor, Carol created the Safe Harbor Child Access Center, a trauma informed, inclusive, child-friendly and supportive space to host supervised visitations and social engagement opportunities for families experiencing separate and divorce in Hunterdon, Warren and Somerset Counties.

Zaniya Lewis of Edgewater Park started YesSheCanCampaign. Zaniya started YesSheCanCampaign to equip young people who are overcoming adversity with the tools and resources to succeed in college and in their careers. Her advocacy to end scholarship displacement led to legislation that prohibits the practice at New Jersey’s public colleges and university.

Jose German-Gomez of Montclair launched Northeast Earth Coalition. After retiring from his accounting and finance career, Jose turned his energies to educating and supporting local environmental and sustainability initiatives. He launched the Northeast Earth Coalition to encourage local sustainability in North Jersey communities, holding workshops and training more than 750 volunteers who manage projects and community gardens across North Jersey.

Robt Martin Seda-Schreiber of Princeton Junction founded the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice. Robt was a middle school teacher for 25 years and has been at the forefront of social justice advocacy for decades. He founded the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice in Princeton which offers innovative support programs and a dedicated safe space for young LGBTQIA+ people that is staffed with trained volunteers.

Norma Bowe of Highlan

The post RUSS BERRIE MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARD ANNOUNCES HONOREES FOR THE 27TH ANNUAL CEREMONY11 NEW JERSEY COMMUNITY CHANGEMAKERS RECOGNIZED FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO OTHERS  appeared first on Good News!.

It’s National Nurses Week– the perfect time to show Northwell Health’s nurses how much you appreciate all they do.

National Nurses Week is celebrated annually May 6-12, ending on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Florence Nightingale was a pioneer, and Northwell Health’s team of 18,900 nurses embody her extraordinary passion and dedication. The fact that nine of our hospitals have received the coveted Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which recognizes excellence in nursing and quality patient care, is a testament to the phenomenal care our nurses provide. Only nine percent of all hospitals worldwide have achieved this distinction.

You can thank our nurses by making a gift to the Nurse Support Fund. Your gift to the Nurse Support Fund allows us to implement programs through Northwell Health that support their emotional wellbeing. Make a gift in their honor today.

When you make your donation, you can also send a personal message to thank a special nurse or nursing team on a specific unit that may have helped you or a loved one.

Please join our family of generous supporters by making your special gift today. I hope you will help us celebrate and honor the nurses whose care and commitment have touched your life – or the life of a loved one. It will warm their hearts to know you appreciate their compassion, hard work
and expertise.

Thank you!

Maureen T. White, RN, MBA,
NEA-BC, FNAP, FAAN
Executive VP and Chief Nurse Executive,
Margaret Crotty & Rory Riggs Clinical Chair in Nursing, Northwell Health

P.S. Your gift to the Nurse Support Fund allows us to implement programs through Northwell Health that support their emotional well-being. Your gift and personal message will make a difference for the Northwell nurses in your community.

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Being humble

means recognizing that we are
not on earth to see how
important we can become,
but to see how much
difference we can make
in the lives of others.

– G.Hinckley

#being #humble #earth #lives #others #difference

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DECEMBER IS THE TIME TO SAY THANK YOU TO SOMEONE AS SPECIAL AS YOU.

YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE EVERY MONTH OF THIS YEAR WITH YOUR MESSAGES, LOVE AND CARING!

I THANK GOD FOR A PERSON LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP, LOVE AND CARING!

The post Thought For The Day… appeared first on Good News!.

Love and Kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you,  the giver.

Be your own inspiration.

STAY SAFE HEALTHY AND HAPPY ALWAYS.

Have a wonderful day. Enjoy Every Moment.

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Sierra Nevada makes a difference fighting the food insecurity crisis during the holiday season

By Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Food insecurity is rapidly sweeping across our great nation, and those of us who can stand up and fight will undoubtedly want to stand with companies such as Sierra Nevada Brewing Company who have donated $1 Million to Community Nonprofits during this pandemic, and they’re just getting started! The holiday season is a time of giving unprecedented by any other event during a year. This is especially important to remember during this year when the COVID19 Pandemic has quelled our celebrations and impacted roughly 20% of U.S. households. It has hampered abilities to pay bills even as important as mortgage and rent and is leaving a record number of Americans facing unemployment, decreased wages, increased expenses for essential items as they become demanded commodities, healthcare, and childcare. Some have even been left without a home for the holidays. Efforts across the nation that Sierra Nevada has partnered with include Rethink (New York), Community Servings (Boston), Common Pantry(Chicago), Sol Collective (Sacramento), #HashtagLunchbag (Los Angeles), Second Harvest (San Jose), Del Mar Village Association (San Diego), SF New Deal (San Francisco), Carolina Farm Trust (Charlotte), and Second Helpings (Atlanta). 

In August, Sierra Nevada unveiled its new program centered around the release of Dankful IPA, a generously hoppy beer launched to help the brewery raise awareness for a variety of nonprofits working to support local communities. A hoppy West Coast-style IPA, Dankful is now available at retail stores across the country. The beer is 7.4% ABV with 55 IBU’s and resinous flavor notes of pine and tropical fruit. Regardless of the purchase, the company has committed to this $1 million pledge to help! On your program, Robin will discuss:

o    Sierra Nevada’s Goal to support communities and what has allowed them to become so agile in this pursuit.

o    How Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is providing immediate support to Nonprofits who do incredible things for their communities.

o    How Philanthropy has been brewed into the company culture since it’s humble beginnings. 

o    How Sierra Nevada has contributed to help ramp up testing and provide necessary tools to Medical Centers for COVID19

o    Much more

Robin Gregory

Robin Gregory is the Communications Director for Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., a family-owned and operated craft brewery based in Northern California, and she has been with the company for seven years. She is a Northern California native and her favorite beer is Celebration IPA. Before joining Sierra Nevada, Robin was a journalist, serving as the San Francisco Editor at HuffPost. She now lives in Chico, CA with her family.

What Does Peace Mean To Robin Gregory go to: http://goodnewsplanet.com/what-does-peace-mean-to-robin-gregory/

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To make a difference in someone’s life don’t have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful, or perfect. You just have to care. 

By Mandy Hale

The post To make a difference in someone’s life don’t have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful, or perfect. appeared first on Good News!.

Ritz Music Studio has teamed up with Grammy award winning songwriters Terry Britten and Graham Lyle who wrote for artists such as Tina Turner, Michael Jackson and Lenny Kravitz to present ‘Make A Difference’ a song and campaign dedicated to the NHS Staff and Volunteers caring for those affected by Covid-19. All donations raised from the release of the campaign will go directly to the NHS and runs alongside our music memorabilia auction, Rock and Ribbon which raises funds for ‘NHS Charities Together’ though bids on our iconic items.
THE ROCK & RIBBON AUCTION goes live 01 May 20. Sign up at https://rockandribbon.com to be notified of the iconic music memorabilia that will be available to bid on with 100% of the funds raised going to the NHS.

Founded by model and designer Elle Liberachi, The Rock and Ribbon Auction began with a collaboration for Breast Cancer Awareness with Queen guitarist Brian May and saw the auctioning of his ‘Red Special’ guitar raise over £8,000 for the ‘Breast Cancer Campaign’ Charity.
Now, more than ever we feel it is important that we come together and support the NHS and the ‘Make A Difference’ Campaign is our way to show our gratitude and support for the amazing work the NHS and health care providers all over the World do for us.

We are immensely proud and in awe of NHS staff and volunteers as they work tirelessly to save lives and care for COVID-19 patients. Separated from their families and away from their homes, these incredible people work day and night to treat as many people as possible in need of care.

Together and with memorabilia from the Music Industries most revered Artists & Songwriters, we give our respect, gratitude & support to the people on the frontline of the NHS via our fundraising auction, Rock & Ribbon.

Together we can make a difference.

All donations to the ‘Make A Difference’ Campaign via our JustGiving page and 100% of the proceeds from the Rock & Ribbon Music Memorabilia Auction will be donated to ‘NHS Charities Together’

Get involved & donate at www.rockandribbon.com or direct to our fundraising page
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraisin…
Thank you

Composed by Graham Lyle and Terry Britten
Goodsingle/BMG TerryTunes/Kobalt
Recorded and mixed by Martin Hannah and Liam Hebb

Special Thanks to –
Annie Lennox
Rick Stein
Dame Judy Dench
Tom Daly
Fearne and Jesse Wood
Eleanor Tomlinson
Michael Morpurgo
Elle Liberachi
Michael Stephenson-Green
And Jeff the dog

https://rockandribbon.com
https://www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraisin…

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