(above) Bridget Cutler, founder of Moms Helping Moms Foundation.
Bridget Cutler receives Making a Difference Award
Bridget Cutler of New Providence, NJ, was among unsung heroes from throughout New Jersey who earned recognition for their compassion and concern for others as part of the 23rd Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award ceremony at Ramapo College in May.
Established in 1997 by the late Russell Berrie, and managed and hosted by Ramapo College of New Jersey, the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award honors Garden State residents whose outstanding community service and charitable contributions made a substantial impact on the lives of others. The top honoree received a cash prize of $50,000; two second place honorees received $25,000 each. Seven awards with a $7,500 cash prize each were also announced.
Bridget Cutler was awarded one of the $7,500 cash prizes for her outstanding contribution and commitment to Moms Helping Moms Foundation. Bridget Cutler is the founder and executive director of Moms Helping Moms Foundation, a baby supply and diaper bank located in North Plainfield, NJ providing essentials so all babies can have a safe, healthy and happy start. Ms. Cutler started the organization in 2011 to help low-income and struggling moms with basic baby items. What started out in Ms. Cutler’s garage has grown into a nonprofit that distributes over 300,000 baby items to low-income families each year.
“It is a tremendous honor to be presented with the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award,” said Ms. Cutler. “I want to thank Brooke Vuono from the Plainfield High School Teen Parenting Program – one of our amazing partners – for nominating me for the award. The cash prize will go a long way helping Moms Helping Moms support more families. I started this organization because I never wanted a single child to go without vital basics. Our organization is only able to do what we do because of the dedicated and committed supporters and volunteers we have who generously give their time and resources.”
Through partnerships with community organizations, social workers, homeless shelters, schools and others, Moms Helping Moms Foundation distributes diapers, clothing, nursing supplies, strollers and countless other baby essentials. The organization also has a dental program that distributes toothbrushes and toothpaste, and an early literacy program to encourage parents to read to their children.
For more information about Moms Helping Moms Foundation including volunteer opportunities and ways to donate, visit momshelpingmomsfoundation.org.
Submitted by Jerusha Oleksiuk
