Phillip Gaines, 2024 Awards of Honor Recipient

A native of Rome, Phillip Gaines graduated from West Rome High School and opened Hi-Tech Signs in 1993. He and his wife Tammy have been married for thirty years. Their son, Aidan, is a senior at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Community Service Activities:
• Kevin Harper Gun Violence Awareness Event
• Served on Rome Floyd Chamber’s Membership Campaign and TRC Elevate Campaign
• Provided opportunities for student athletes and other students in need
• Has a passion for helping kids as their mentor, father figure, and friend
• Major contributor in the success of the Rome High Football program, supporting many players by inviting them into his home and taking them on college visits.
• Helps individuals who are challenged with substance abuse, helped people gain citizenship, and helped those who simply needed help “paying their bills”
• Friend and supporter of the Rome-Floyd YMCA
• Donated to over 65 organizations in the past year including: The Sexual Assault Center, Living Proof, Free Clinic, Restoration Rome

Nominators: “Phillip is one of those quiet heroes who goes about helping countless young people, families, and organizations in our community.” “Our world needs more people like Phillip Gaines.”

 

 

 

 

 


 

Terrence Hight, Sr. 2024 Awards of Honor Recipient

A native of Rome, Terrence Hight, Sr. was educated at West Rome High School, Coosa Valley Technical College, and Shorter College. Terrence began his intentional work of investing in his home community of Rome — right out of high school. Since that time, he has continued to serve as a leader in sports, youth mentorship, healthcare, education, music, and the arts.
Community Service Activities:
• Leadership Rome Alumni
• 100 Black Men of Rome
• Originator and former Chair of the annual John Stevenson Classic Golf Tournament
• Former Wellness Chair for the Health Initiative for Men, dramatically increasing community participation and including women in the event
• Former Board Member and current Advisory Board Member of the Free Clinic of Rome
• Former Board Member of Communities in Schools
• Former Board Member of the Family Resource Center
• Board Member at Vital Grace
• Former Recreation Department Youth Football Coach — 20 years
• Founded a Jazz production company to highlight local musical talent
• Founder of Hight for Sight, Inc., a non-profit organization providing financial assistance for youth to obtain glasses and other visual aids

Terrence “Poppa T” Hight has one son, Terrence Hight, Jr., and four grandchildren.
Nominator: “Terrence Hight, Sr. is an outstanding example of why Rome is such a great community. His willingness to lead by example for youth in our community ensures that the future of our community continues to be bright.”

 

 

 


2023 Award Recipients

On Saturday, February 25, 2023, seven of Rome’s “unsung heroes” will be honored at the Heart of the Community gala “An Affair of the Heart.”
Our 2023 recipients include: Amy and Gaines Dempsey, Ford, Gittings and Kane Jewelers, Melissa Phillips, Melissa Rutledge, Kelly Sanker, Cristin Warden and Wesley Walraven.


For 37 years AdventHealth Redmond has sponsored these awards to recognize and honor individuals whose commitment through volunteer service has made this community a better place in which to live, work and raise a family.
Congratulations!

Amy and Gaines Dempsey, 2023 Awards of Honor Recipients

Amy and Gaines Dempsey

Gaines is a native of Rome and Amy, a native of Cedartown. They are graduates of Darlington School and the University of Georgia.

Amy is a nurse in Labor and Delivery at Atrium Health Floyd. Gaines is the owner of Dempsey Appraisal Company. They have three daughters, Cade, Callie and Eloise.

As parents of a special needs child, they were interested in Extra Special People which operates in Athens. One component of ESP programs is Java Joy. This is a coffee catering business which trains & employs adults with special needs. It is run like a business; Joyristas are interviewed for positions and are provided with opportunities to interact with others and show their strength and spread joy. Several have grown in their employment with Java Joy and have secured other jobs in the community.

Working with ESP on an expansion plan for the city of Rome, Java Joy was first brought to Rome by the Dempseys. With their faithful leadership, advocacy, and fundraising the Dempseys have championed ESP for Rome. ESP provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Nominator: “Java Joy/ESP is poised to do remarkable things. Since ESP began in Rome with Java Joy in 2020, it has already done amazing things. Success stories have already happened. None of this would have been available if the Dempseys had not seen the need and taken a leap of faith.”

Ford, Gittings & Kane Jewelers, 2023 Awards of Honor Business Award

Ford, Gittings & Kane Jewelers

In 1958, Ford, Gittings and Kane opened their store on Broad Street in Rome. In 1973, at the age of 17, Jan Jones Ferguson began working there for the Christmas season.
Under the guidance of Joe Gittings, Jan began her career as a Certified Gemologist. She continued to flourish by becoming co-owner of FGK in 1996. In 1981 she became the first female Certified Gemologist in the state of Georgia.
A former Award of Honor recipient for the Heart of the Community, her mentorship has led the team to have a servant’s leadership approach in Rome and Floyd County.

Their activities and donations include:
Kickback to the Community – in store Silent Auction for multiple Charities; Mission is Possible – Birthday Club and projects for “Differently Abled Children”; Rome Community Kitchen; One Community United; Brighter Birthdays; Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation “Evening on the Runway”; Annual participation in the Heart of the Community “Awards of Honor” gala and Silent Auction; Rome Floyd Chamber member and annual participation in Business EXPO; Rotary Club of Rome; Seven Hills Rotary Club of Rome; Coosa River Basin Initiative; Northwest Georgia Council, Boy Scouts of America; Java Joy; Rome International Film Festival; Initiated Annual Pay It Forward Easter Basket; Elevation House; Summit Quest; Salvation Army; Restoration Rome; Living Proof Recovery; Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Georgia; Rome Braves “Player of the Month” Sponsor; Open Door Home; Past President of Georgia Jewelers Association; Past President of Southeastern Guild of the American Gem Society.

Nominator: “Jan and her team have given so much time and energy toward making our community vibrant.”

Melissa Phillips, 2023 Awards of Honor Recipient

Melissa Phillips


Melissa is an advocate for children. She and her husband, Dan moved to Rome in 2007. They have two children, both 11 years old, and enjoy hiking, fishing, and traveling as a family.

Her activities include:
• Harbor House – The Northwest Georgia Child Advocacy Center; serving 8 years on the Board of Directors and as Past President
• Berry College Equestrian Team – Assistant Coach
• Vikings Booster Club and fundraising efforts for the Berry College Equestrian Team
• Floyd- Polk-Chattooga Medical Alliance – 15-year member and former Board of Directors
• Townview Garden Club – Club President
• Obtained a national grant for landscaping and renovation of the Harbor House
• Served 2 years as a Kindergarten “Room Mom” at Berry Elementary and planned the Kindergarten Wedding at Frost Chapel

Nominator: “She is one of the hardest working community volunteers I have ever met.”