Every day, in every facet of our lives, opportunities to lead call out to us. At work and at home, in our local communities and in the global village, the chance to make a difference beckons to us.
Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Leading - Ronald Heifetz, Ronald Abadian Heifetz, Martin Linsky.
This is the leadership that takes place everyday, here in New Jersey, a sense of clearly defined purpose that everyone of our Making-A-Difference nominees share.
For 22 years, the Russell Berrie Foundation seeds a field of leaders, community heroes who have been creating a positive force field of passion and purpose.
We celebrate these heroes, and she-roes, at the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Awards. Each nominee answered the call to make a difference that, over 22 years, became a network powered by this collective force for good.
To all our nominees:
YOU are inspiring others, leading by example, performing acts of kindness that ripple out and impact the lives of others in our community. With each small act, you are transforming the world!
YOU do it without regard for recognition or gain. YOU do it with your own resources, creativity, talent, connections and energy. You bring the gift of who you are to everything you are doing!
Philanthropy is the gift of who you are, not the size of your check or the the size of the plaque in a building named after you. It is not necessarily dramatic, bold or ambitious acts of generosity. Often, as we see with many of our heroes today, it is “doing small things with great love!” (Mother Teresa).
Philanthropy is the gift of who you are, not the size of your check or the the size of the plaque in a building named after you. It is not necessarily dramatic, bold or ambitious acts of generosity. Often, as we see with many of our heroes today, it is “doing small things with great love!” (Mother Teresa).
As we leave here today, let’s bring this selfless spirit of leadership out there! Inspired by everyday heroes who gather toothbrushes for the homeless, plant and distribute food to those in need, raise money for cancer, serve in soup kitchens, offer free medical services and open their hearts to unemployed veterans, battered women, foster children, the incarcerated.
Let’s start with small acts, because, as Winnie the Pooh said, “Sometimes, the smallest things take up the most room in our heart.”
Thank you for coming today and celebrating leaders who bring hearts and souls, and their own humanity, to make a difference.
Thank you for coming today and celebrating leaders who bring hearts and souls, and their own humanity, to make a difference.
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