DJ's Hope

Giving hope to others through the spirit of one child

Our mission

“Giving hope to others through the spirit of one child.”

DJ’s Hope’s mission is to provide support to those that struggle during challenging times, such as hardships due to a sick child, and assisting the elderly, veterans, and those disabled.

Our primary focus is dedicated to the healing of children so that he or she can grow in love, peace, and happiness.

*DJ’s Hope is proud that we give back 85% of all funds collected*

Our Story

“Always helping anyone in need”

DJ’s Hope was founded in 2012 to honor the memory of its namesake, DJ Merriman. DJ’s heart was damaged by a virus when he was an infant, and from the time he was 17 months old, he was dependent on a pacemaker to keep his heart pumping. DJ was a well-loved young man who tried to make a difference in the lives of others, always helping anyone who was in need. His gestures of kindness could be as simple as a smile, or as grand as raising money every year for his favorite hospital Rainbow Baby & Children’s “Radiothon” that he participated in starting.

In January 2012, 17-year-old DJ passed away in his sleep from cardiomyopathy, also known as an enlarged heart. He took with him the hearts of many,but inspired those of us left behind to make a difference in the lives of others.

Meet DJ

On the Saturday prior to his death, DJ noticed an elderly woman standing in the checkout line in front of him at a Giant Eagle store. The woman didn’t have enough money to pay for her groceries and in a typical generous gesture he provided the lacking funds. “That’s just the way he was,” Merriman said.

Our YouTube channel features videos about DJ’s Hope 4 Hearts and DJ.