LaDonna Collins, 2024 Awards of Honor Recipient

A native of Rockmart, LaDonna Collins earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science from Columbus State University and is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist.

LaDonna has served as Executive Director of The Rome Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth for four years. She has also served as the local director for a GED Program, a middle and high school educator, a Public Health Educator, and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. LaDonna is also the owner of Pinnacle Developmental Services, a youth development and mentoring organization in which she holds contracts with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.
Her Community Service Activities:
• 2023 SPLOST Committee
• Rome City Commission Candidate Forum Moderator
• Floyd Against Drugs Board
• Northwest Georgia Hunger Ministry Board
• Rome Floyd Chamber Leadership Rome Class of 41
• Rome Noon Optimist Club Member
• Rome Children’s Museum Board
• Rome Youth Detention Center Board
• Shorter University Ledbetter College of Business Advisory Board
• Rome Floyd Chamber Total Resource Campaign, Elevate, Volunteer
• Toys for Tots Volunteer
• 2023 Rome Celebrity Dance Challenge Participant for NWGA Sexual Assault Center

Nominator: “LaDonna Collins a leader, a go getter, and a motivator. She is one who takes a vision and makes it a reality through her creative ability of bringing people together.”

 


 

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.”

 

 

 


2024 COMMUNITY GRANTS

The Heart of the Community Foundation is accepting grant applications from community
agencies located in Rome and Floyd County. Please complete application below and mail to
Heart of the Community, P.O. 5064, 30162 or email to wanda.whitten@adventhealth.com
Deadline (received by) January 30, 2024.

Andrea Pitts elected 2023-2024 Chair for the Heart of the Community Foundation Board of Governors

Andrea Pitts has been appointed chairman of the Heart of the Community Foundation Board of Governors for 2023-2024.
Andrea completed her undergraduate degree at Berry College, her master’s degree in communication disorders at Georgia State University, and recently returned to Berry to complete her MBA at the Campbell School of Business.

Andrea is the Director of Patient Experience and Organizational Excellence at AdventHealth Redmond. She is both a graduate and former coordinator for Leadership Rome. Andrea now serves on the advisory committee for the current Rome Floyd Chamber Leadership Rome program. She and her husband served as host committee sponsors and planning committee members for Rome for the Rescues. Most recently, Andrea served as one of the judges for this year’s Rome Celebrity Dance Challenge. Andrea is the Executive Director of the Miss Rome Scholarship Competition. In June, she was named by the Miss Georgia Organization as the 2023 Volunteer of the Year.

Andrea and her husband, Tim live in Rome with their two rescued “fur-babies” (dogs) Maggie and Mr. Smiley Man.

The mission of the Heart of the Community Foundation is to recognize individuals in Rome and Floyd County for their outstanding community service. Recipients of these annual awards are honored at a black-tie gala presented by AdventHealth Redmond and the Heart of the Community Foundation, Inc. The 38th annual event will be held on February 24, 2024.

The Heart of the Community Foundation also supports local community agency projects with heart-health and humanitarian missions. Proceeds from this year’s event will support similar community agency programs in Rome and Floyd County. Previously funded projects have included the Heart House for families of critically ill patients on the AdventHealth Redmond campus, AED units in public facilities in Rome, a fitness course at Ridge Ferry Park, fitness equipment at the Thornton Center, swimming scholarships at the YMCA, exercise equipment for Summit Quest, and grants to various humanitarian and heart related agencies in Rome and Floyd County.

Additional members of the Heart of the Community Foundation Board of Governors include: Brooks Mathis, Chair-Elect; Megan Treglown, Secretary; Angie Beard, Treasurer; Sara Molnar, Treasurer-Elect; Chris Jackson, Past-Chair; Kevin Allen; Kristy Brown; Luke Chaffin; Barbara Earle; Courtnay Griffin; Jake Hager; Mandy Maloney; Sarah Martin; Shannon Newby; Carey Pilgrim; William Richardson; Michelle Rikard; Pam Roberts; Heath Rogers; Lauren Sklar; Dwight Stout; and Jim Talley.

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!