7-Year-Old’s ‘Hero Heart’ Adorns Dunkin Donuts Mugs

CANFIELD, Ohio – Once a patient at Akron Children’s Hospital, 7-year-old Preston Helmick is now returning the favor to the hospital that treated his heart defect.

Through the end of the month, Dunkin Donuts in the Mahoning Valley will be selling mugs with Helmick’s “Hero Heart” artwork on it, with proceeds supporting Akron Children’s. Mugs are $5 and can be refilled for 99 cents.

Helmick, son of Farmers National Bank President and CEO Kevin Helmick and his wife, Amie, created the piece of art in 2016. It portrays Preston’s favorite superheroes – Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Iron Man and Wonder Woman – alongside his own handprints.

The art was initially purchased at the American Heart Association’s Heart Ball in 2016 “for a record-breaking donation,” that made it the best-selling design nationally that year.

This summer, Preston entered “Hero Heart” in Dunkin Donuts’ seventh annual Miracles for Munchkins charity mug design contest.

“My son has been so fortunate to have advanced care for his condition. Preston has a desire to help other children with heart disease and I could not possibly be more proud to be his father,” said Kevin Helmick in a release. “Now I hope every coffee-lover in our Valley will buy this great mug and send some much-needed funding to Akron Children’s Hospital. They do great work and every dollar is appreciated.”

Pictured: Preston Helmick’s “Hero Heart” can be found on mugs available at local Dunkin Donuts through the end of the month.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.