About the organization

Mission Statement

Kyle's Heart is a not-for-profit organization that will support all Organ Donation Organizations, through fundraising, publicity events and all media outlets. It is intended to assist in educating the public as to the dire necessity of organ donation and to offer hope to those who need it the most. Kyle's Heart also offers scholarships to students in the state of Ohio.

Our Story

In 2007, the Kyle's Heart Organization started out as a small non-profit entity that a few caring people put together and eventually formed into a Board. This organization was founded in memory of Kyle, after a tragic industrial accident that left him brain dead and ultimately ended his life.

About Kyle Hunlock

Kyle Hunlock

Kyle graduated from Bath in 2002 and benefited greatly from the excellent education that he gained there. The years that Kyle spent with teachers, coaches and classmates impacted his learning experience greatly.

Kyle Hunlock

Kyle graduated at the top of his class and was the captain of the football team. He was well rounded in his community involvement and also active in his local youth group.

Kyle always strived towards academic excellence and that drive took him to England as an exchange student during his Junior year in College. In June of 2006, Kyle graduated from the University of Toledo with his degree in Environmental Chemistry and a promising career before him.

The Board has used this model as the "standard criteria" for this scholarship program. Funding education for students to reach their goals is just one simple way that Kyle's family and friends would like to honor him.

About Jack Hunt

Jack Hunt

In 1992, Jack was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. It was a very severe case, and he was told he was not going to survive long time without a heart transplant. After years of struggling with a deteriorating heart, he was put on the transplant list. 8 weeks after being put on the transplanet list Kyle's heart became available, and he received the transplant on June 23, 2006. The procedure went so well that he was eating lunch 12 hours after surgery and his health was improving every day since.

After the transplant he decided to spend his time volunteering and giving back. In February 2007, a meeting over the phone was arranged by LifeCenter with, his donor's father, Carl. Carl and Jack decided to meet and team up to support heart research, organ donation, and much more. Their first project was the 2007 March American Heart Association's heart mini marathon which raised $14,000 for heart research. Their team was named "Kyle's Heart" and they made plans to go all over the country to help many causes.

Jack was able to live out an additional 11 and 1/2 years after the heart transplant but on January 28, 2018 he went to his eternal home.

Organizational Goals

The Kyle's Heart Foundation is currently striving to grow the principal funding in the Endowment for Education. The Board is planning on doing several fund-raisers over the next several years. Stay tuned to the News and Events tab for more information.

Board of Directors

Carl Hunlock
President
Carl is the current Director of Radiology at Mt. Carmel New Albany Surgical Hospital. Carl is earning a Bachelor of Science degree at Franklin University in Medical Management (2015) Graduate Associates degree of Ohio State/Rhodes College in Health services /Radiology (2004) Owner and operator of Advanced Turfscapes LLC since 1982 holding a Pesticide applicator licensed & certified Master Gardener. Developed Kyle Heart Foundation in 2006 in an effort to raise awareness and gift scholarships to graduating seniors in Bath school district after losing son in a work related accident.
Kevin Wierman
Vice President
Kevin is a graduate of Bath Local Schools and is now a teacher at Bath completing his 37th year in the profession as a middle school instructor. His tenure at Bath includes 35 of those years teaching as well as 25 years coaching football and baseball. He has a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Dayton University (1987). He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from The Defiance College (1978), where he was recently inducted into The Defiance College Athletic Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in both football and baseball. He had the distinct pleasure of having Kyle as a student in both 7th and 8th grades, of coaching him in football during his high school years, and later having Kyle become his son-in-law.
Brent Dawson
Treasurer
Brent is a Commercial Loan Officer at the First National Bank in New Bremen. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Xavier University (1989). He is a graduate of Lima Central Catholic (1985), Rotarian, 3rd Degree Member of Knights of Columbus, St. Gerard Parish Festival Chairman, St. Gerard Parish Finance Committee Member, Shawnee Local Schools Business Council Member, husband to 1, and a father to 3.

Kyle's Heart in the media