
Hold My Heart Program
Connecting Our Community Through Love
What began as 81 student-created hearts has evolved into a year-round crisis management and family support program serving Warren County students through the partnership of Warren County Public Schools and the Hike Kidz Foundation.
Every heart tells a story. Every sponsorship changes a life.

Story Of Development
The Hold My Heart Program began in early 2025 after Warren County Public Schools identified a growing need among students experiencing housing insecurity and other significant hardships. The Special Services Department recognized that many students were facing barriers outside the classroom that impacted their ability to learn, participate, and thrive. Funding and resources to address these urgent needs were limited, and school leaders reached out to the Hike Kidz Foundation for help. In response, Hike Kidz Foundation Founder Harmony Hike worked alongside the Special Services Department to create a community art project that would connect students, sponsors, and the community through love and compassion. The Original Heart Project Students painted two hearts. One heart remained on display as part of a community art installation. The second heart was given to the sponsor who supported that student’s heart. 81 sets of hearts were created during the inaugural year. The project quickly became much more than a fundraiser. As community support grew, Warren County Public Schools requested that the Hike Kidz Foundation assume responsibility for managing the program’s funding and crisis-response efforts. This transition allowed support to extend far beyond the purchase of individual items and into comprehensive assistance for students and families. The Program Today Today, Hold My Heart is a fully operational crisis-management program administered by the Hike Kidz Foundation in complete partnership with Warren County Public Schools. Through an experienced Community Resource Advocate, the program now provides: Immediate crisis intervention Housing support and referrals Food assistance and resources Transportation solutions Community resource navigation Connections to local service providers Student necessities and educational support Family advocacy and support services Most importantly, the program allows students and families to receive help privately, respectfully, and with dignity. What began as a fundraising campaign has evolved into a powerful community program that addresses both immediate needs and long-term solutions for students and families. The impact has reached far beyond the classroom—strengthening families, building community partnerships, and creating pathways toward stability and success. Annual Heart Unveiling The Hold My Heart collection is unveiled annually and serves as a celebration of community, compassion, and hope. 2026 Heart Timeline June 27, 2026 – First unveiling of the 2026 Hearts at the Dueling Disco October 9, 2026 – Community Heart art piece unveiling and at the Stone Branch Center for the Arts "Love wins social".


About The Program
The purpose of the Hold My Heart Program is simple:
To ensure that students facing the greatest challenges have access to the support they need while preserving their privacy and dignity.
The program allows us to identify critical needs, respond quickly, and provide meaningful support through a coordinated partnership between schools, community organizations, businesses, and volunteers.
By connecting the community through the heart sponsorship program, we are able to provide assistance where it is needed most.
Every student’s needs are different.
Funds raised through Hold My Heart are placed into a shared support fund that allows assistance to be directed where the need is greatest.
Examples of support may include:
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Beds and air mattresses
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Bedding and pillows
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Clothing and shoes
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Prom attire
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Yearbooks
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School supplies
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Sensory items
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Transportation assistance
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Extracurricular activity fees
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Technology for education and college readiness
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Emergency housing support
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Food assistance
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Community resource referrals
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Family support services
Today, support extends beyond individual items.
Our Community Resource Advocate works directly with families to identify challenges, connect them with community resources, and help build long-term solutions that improve stability and opportunity for the entire family.
2026 Hearts Are Now Available
A heart sponsorship is:
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$600 annually
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Or $50 per month
Each sponsorship helps provide critical resources and crisis support for students and families throughout the year.
When You Sponsor a Heart
You are able to
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Select the heart that speaks to you
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Sponsor that heart for the year
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Display your sponsored heart in your home or business
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Become part of a community-wide effort to support local students
You may:
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Sponsor one heart
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Sponsor multiple hearts
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Sponsor a heart as a family
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Sponsor a heart through your business
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Sponsor a heart in memory of a loved one
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Sponsor a heart in honor of someone special
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Give a heart sponsorship as a gift
New for 2026
Sponsors will have the opportunity to leave a message of encouragement that will be engraved for the student connected to the program.
These messages become another way our community connects through love, encouragement, and hope.
How Do I Choose a Heart?
The answer is simple:
Choose the heart you’re drawn to.
Every year we hear the same thing from sponsors: the heart chooses them.
Whether it reminds you of someone you love, speaks to your story, or simply catches your eye, the connection is often deeply personal.
That connection is what makes Hold My Heart so special.



The John & Joyce Marlow Love Lives On Dedication
The Hold My Heart Program is dedicated to the legacy of John and Joyce Marlow through the Love Lives On initiative.
At its heart, this program is about connection, compassion, and the belief that love has the power to change lives. Few stories embody those values more than the timeless love shared by John and Joyce Marlow.
Throughout their lives, John and Joyce have been deeply connected to the needs of our community, quietly helping others, supporting important causes, and demonstrating what it means to care for those around us. Their commitment to helping others has left a lasting impact on countless lives.
Although John is no longer with us, his legacy continues through the love he shared with Joyce, the family they built, the community they cared for, and the lives they touched along the way.
The Hold My Heart Program exists to connect students and families facing hardship with the support, resources, and compassion they need. In many ways, the hearts symbolize the same values that John and Joyce represented—a love that reaches beyond ourselves, brings people together, and continues to make a difference long after it is given.
Through this dedication, every sponsored heart serves as a reminder that love lives on through kindness, service, generosity, and care for one another.
Each year, the John K. Marlow Love Lives On Legacy Award honors an individual whose actions reflect these same values and whose commitment to helping others strengthens our community.
Integral Partners
Warren County Public Schools
Stonebranch Center for the Arts
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the funding pooled?
Some students require significantly more support than others. Pooling resources ensures every student has access to help when they need it most.
How are students identified?
Students are referred through Warren County Public Schools and connected with the program through established support systems and partnerships.
How is privacy protected?
Student and family privacy is a top priority. All services are provided confidentially and respectfully.
Can I renew my heart each year?
Yes. Current sponsors are encouraged to renew annually. Just fill out the form below to request a recurring plan and you will be able to choose your 2026 heart (s).
Can businesses sponsor hearts?
Absolutely. Businesses may sponsor one or multiple hearts and may display them publicly as a sign of community support.
Can my heart sponsorship be anonymous?
Absolutely. You may choose a name or dedication, even a gift or phrase. It's your heart!
