Cheer Me Up Foundation

CHEER ME UP is the brainchild of Joe Maurillo, who also serves as our foundation President. Several years ago, Joe’s daughter was in the hospital. It was the Holiday Season and it was heartbreaking to see so many children that had no visitors, and virtually no holiday joy to speak of. Back at work, he and a colleague spoke to friends and co-workers , and were wholeheartedly determined to make a special holiday for those children. That year, in 1994, CHEER ME UP was born. They bought gifts, donned Santa and elf suits, and visited the pediatric ward of Children’s Hospital in Newark. If the children couldn’t go to Santa Claus, Santa Claus could surely go to the children. Since then, CHEER ME UP has grown by leaps and bounds through the hearts of many caring people. The foundation is run by volunteers, friends, and family, who believe that despite severe medical, economic, or family hardships, every child is entitled to experience the joy of being a child — especially for the holidays!