Call-Us-Clowns loves prescribing its audiences the healing power of laughter. Located in Saddle River, this performance troupe of therapeutically trained volunteers perform as clowns at schools, hospitals, senior centers, veterans’ homes and special events across North Jersey. No matter the institution, the goal is always the same: Find people who might be feeling blue and put smiles on their faces.
A four-time winner of the World Clown Association’s Alley of the Year Award since its founding in 2001, Call-Us-Clowns is not kidding around about its commitment. Bob D’Amico, a member since 2017, attributes the organization’s nearly 25 years of success to its emphasis on compassion. “A lot of our members are former teachers, and what makes a teacher a good clown is that they are used to being in front of people,” says D’Amico, whose clown name is Meatball. A retired food broker who volunteered at Paterson’s St. Joseph’s Hospital, he quickly bonded with Call-Us-Clowns members who visited the children’s emergency room.
Call-Us-Clowns, run by a seven-person board of directors, performs about six to eight gigs a year. As a Clown Care troupe, they specialize in short, funny skits such as well-worn, pie-in-face gags, each tailored to its audience in length and content. Shows are free (donations are accepted), and every performance includes a duo or more clowns.
For its volunteer members, the most important thing is providing cheer. When visiting veterans homes, “some of those men, they’ve been there for quite a while,” D’Amico recalls. “They love to just tell you about their backgrounds. And [listening] is just providing comfort. It’s not always ha-ha,” he says. “Comfort and good cheer is what we try to do.”
Call-Us-Clowns welcomes volunteers and hosts training programs in the fall. Visit callusclowns.org for info.
