LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two hours a day, five days a week, Dr. Ronald Lehocky takes polymer clay and makes heart pins. This all started because he wanted to help supplement the fundraising efforts of the annual Kids Center Fashion Show in 2005, which helps children with physical, behavioral and intellectual challenges receive pediatric therapy. But he never expected his pins to be such a success. 

What You Need To Know

  • Dr. Ronald Lehocky started the Heart Pin Project in 2005 when he wanted to help supplement the fundraising efforts for the Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies

  • The doctor sold a thousand hearts in his first three months

  • Lehocky creates and designs all the hearts himself and has made 53,500 heart pins bringing in $1 million for the Kids Center

  • The Kids Center helps children with physical, behavioral and intellectual challenges receive pediatric therapy

“In fact, I only thought I was going to do 100 of these, and give them. And that would be it,” said Lehocky.

The doctor started in Nov. 2005 and sold a thousand hearts in his first three months. He’s now sold thousands through his Heart Pin Project to support the efforts of the Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies.

“Every one of these 53,500 hearts I have made, they’re all my concepts and my designs, and hopefully, each one has my spirit in it,” Lehocky explained.

All the profits go to the Kids Center. Executive Director Phil Marshall says the heart pins have brought in more than $1 million, which helps significantly with their mission to ensure no child is denied services just because their parents can’t afford it.

“Provides the training and education for our staff and ultimately volunteers that help with all of our programs. And all of them are essential medical therapies for kids and their families. So it has enormous impact on our mission,” said Marshall.

Lehocky sells these heart pins to supporters all around the world.

“This allows me to sort of represent the special needs community in a way that brings attention to not their disabilities, but their abilities,” he shared.

Lehocky hopes others will use their hobbies to help their own communities. There are heart pin project displays all around Louisville:

 

  • The Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies, 982 Eastern Parkway and 9810 Bluegrass Parkway
  • Dee’s Crafts, 5045 Shelbyville Road
  • Baptist East Hospital Gift Shop, 4000 Kresge Way
  • Thelma’s at the Galt House, 140 N 4th Street
  • Two Chicks and Company, 12121 Shelbyville Rd.
  • Heitzman’s Bakery, 9426 Shelbyville Rd at Hurstbourne
  • Museum of Arts and Crafts, 715 West Main Street
  • Gallery JanJoBee in Melwood Art Center, 1860 Mellwood Avenue
  • Burning Bush Grille and Mediterranean Café, 13206 W. US 42, Prospect
  • Prospect Sisters Tea Parlor and Gifts, 4765 Fox Run Road, Buckner

 

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