Photo by Gage Vota DeFelice Brothers Pizza St. Clairsville franchise owner Jennifer Zervos-Montz, from left, American Heart Association co-chair person John Rataiczak, DeFelice Brothers Pizza owner Dominic DeFelice, American Heart Association Development Director Lauren Thomas, and American Heart Association co-chair person Melissa Rataiczak celebrate DeFelice donating $3,000 to the American Heart Association.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – For more than 40 years, DeFelice Brothers Pizza has been spending February selling heart-shaped pizzas at all of its locations, which include stores in St. Clairsville, Martins Ferry, Shadyside, Newark, Wintersville, Bethlehem, Wheeling, Follansbee and Moundsville.

Owner Dominic DeFelice said that a portion of the heart-shaped pizzas goes directly to the American Heart Association.

On Tuesday, $3,000 was donated to the association by DeFelice.

“We do this every year. We donate money from the proceeds of our heart shaped pizza sales in the stores, and it is the people who help us do that. They buy the pizzas and make it possible,” DeFelice said. “When I was a child, I had a heart condition. As I grew up, technology got more advanced and I outgrew the condition.”

He added that when he started his pizza business, he wanted to give back to the American Heart Association.

“It seemed like the right charity to do this with. I was involved with them as a child and I saw all of the things that they have done, and the accomplishments they’ve made. It’s amazing.”

American Heart Association Development Director Lauren Thomas added that she believes the fact that DeFelice is a survivor makes the donation mean even more.

“It just means so much to not just him and to the American Heart Association, but to the entire community of the Ohio Valley and we’re just so grateful,” Thomas said. “It’s been almost nearly $3,000 every single year that he’s helped raise by doing these heart-shaped pizza sales. It’s just incredible, and it just means so much because it goes to such a worthy cause, we’re so grateful.”

The donations go toward lifesaving research that happens in Ohio, West Virginia and the surrounding areas.

Thomas said that the funds will also go into advocacy with the goal of creating healthier, happier and longer lives.

She added that despite what most people think, heart health is not just about age.

“I think it’s a common misconception that this affects just older generations, It’s something that can happen at any age. We’re seeing people younger and younger being affected by heart disease and stroke,” Thomas said. “I have a dear friend that was 34 whenever she had her first heart attack. It’s all about bringing awareness, knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, knowing the signs and symptoms of stroke, and knowing what we can do to help prevent that. Especially if it happens to be within our genetics, so it’s all about awareness and advocacy.”

DeFelice said that his company is always eager to give back to the community.

“We are always looking for ways to give back. We are grateful that in the Ohio Valley we’ve had such a good response,” DeFelice said. “Our franchisees and managers work hard to maintain a quality product and consistency and to get this kind of response out of our customers is wonderful.”

He added that he is currently looking to become involved with another area charity but isn’t prepared to announce the details yet. DeFelice said that the partnership is in its infancy and doesn’t want to speak about it until more details are solidified.