Heart of the Community

10/09/2026

⏰ Two weeks left!

Nominations for the 2027 Heart of the Community Awards close on Friday, October 23.

If you know a quiet hero in Rome or Floyd County who’s making a real difference through volunteerism, leadership, or service — now’s the time to nominate them.

These are the people who show up without fanfare and make our community stronger every day. They deserve to be recognized.

Nominate here (it only takes a few minutes):
👉 https://form.jotform.com/242467893646169

Don’t let this deadline sneak up on you!

10/07/2026

Just a quick reminder — nominations for the 2027 Heart of the Community Awards close in a little over two weeks (October 23).

Know someone who’s making Rome & Floyd County better? Nominate them here:
👉 https://form.jotform.com/242467893646169

10/06/2026

Still looking for those quiet heroes in Rome & Floyd County? 👀

Nominations for the 2027 Heart of the Community Awards are open, and we need your help spotting the people who keep showing up — the neighbors who check on the elderly, the volunteers who never miss a shift, the small businesses that give back without asking for credit.

Their work doesn’t always make the news… but it makes our community better every single day.

📅 Deadline is Friday, October 23, 2026 — don’t wait until the last minute!

Nominate someone who deserves to be celebrated → https://form.jotform.com/242467893646169

Tag a friend who knows a local legend, or share this so more people see it. Let’s make sure no one who strengthens Rome & Floyd County goes unnoticed. 💖

09/30/2026

Nominations are officially OPEN for the 2027 Heart of the Community Awards! 💖

Know a neighbor, volunteer, or local business that’s always showing up for Rome & Floyd County? Now’s your chance to shine a light on them.

These awards celebrate the everyday heroes whose service and volunteerism make our community stronger. Don’t let their quiet hard work go unnoticed.

Deadline: Friday, October 23, 2026

Nominate someone special today → https://form.jotform.com/242467893646169

Let’s celebrate the people who make Rome & Floyd County shine. ✨

Please click the link to complete this form.

09/15/2026

We are excited to announce that nominations are now open for the 2027 Heart of the Community Awards!💖

Every year, the Heart of the Community Foundation recognizes the incredible individuals and local businesses making a real difference in Rome and Floyd County through outstanding service and volunteerism. If you know someone who goes above and beyond to give back, we want to make sure their hard work is celebrated.

Please help us honor our community heroes by submitting your nomination before the Friday, October 23, 2026 deadline.

Thank you for helping us highlight the people who make our community shine! ✨

👉Click here to nominate someone special today: https://form.jotform.com/242467893646169

08/22/2026

Heath Rogers, a native of Carrollton, Georgia has been appointed chairperson of the 2026-2027 Heart of the Community Foundation Board of Governors.

Heath is a realtor with Hardy Realty & Development Company, and is the former President of the Rome Area Council for the Arts (RACA), a member of the Rome/Floyd Chamber Ambassadors, and serves on the Rome-Floyd County Planning Commission. Prior to his appointment as chairperson for the Heart of the Community Foundation, Heath has served on the board for 4 years. Heath and his wife, Alison, are the owners of Bluem and are proud parents of two children. Passionate about both real estate and community involvement, Heath is committed to helping make Rome and Floyd County a great place to live, work, and grow.

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 41st annual event will be held on February 20, 2027.

The Heart of the Community Foundation also supports local community agency projects with heart-health and humanitarian missions. Previously funded projects have included the Wanda J. Whitten 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: Michele Rikard, Chair-Elect; Eric Collins, Secretary; Sara Molnar, Treasurer; Shannon Kennedy-Newby, Immediate Past Chair; Brooks Mathis; Ali Freeman; Brad Gilmore; Ella Givens; Courtnay Griffin; Jake Hager; Heath Hooper; Ciara McKnight; Claire McWhorter; William Richardson; Kelly Sanker; Courtney Shepard; Lauren Sklar; Dwight Stout; Rika Meyer, ex-officio

03/19/2026

03/19/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2026 Heart of the Community Heart Walk, presented by AdventHealth Redmond in partnership with TRED of Rome/Floyd County! It was a wonderful morning for a heart-healthy walk along the AdventHealth ECO Greenway, as well as honoring our 2026 Heart of the Community Awards recipients. Thanks to our presenting sponsor, AdventHealth Redmond, we were able to present local charities - each designated by one of our recipients - to receive donations in honor of the recipients. Feel free to snag and re-share your photos! Photo credit: Andrew Rayn Photography - thank you Andrew for capturing these special memories!

02/27/2026

Donate now to help us renovate the Wanda J. Whitten Heart House. Proceeds from our 2026 gala will go towards much needed renovations at the House. These renovations include converting all the first-floor guest rooms so that the bathrooms are handicapped accessible, replacing the two-story fire escape decking on the back of the House, replacing the decking at the side entrance to the House, and more.

Nestled on the grounds of AdventHealth Redmond, the Wanda Whitten Heart House offers a vital refuge for families during life’s most challenging moments. Since its inception in 1999, this cherished establishment has provided a warm and comforting environment for those whose loved ones are undergoing critical care.

As we look toward a brighter future, we invite you to be a part of something extraordinary. Our 2026 gala aims to raise $150,000 dedicated to important renovations at the Heart House. These enhancements will ensure that we continue to serve families effectively and compassionately.

Every contribution, no matter the size, is a step towards ensuring families have a safe haven during their time of need. Together, we can make a significant impact! You can donate directly using our One Cause event site, editing the donation amount in the box to reflect your commitment: https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/f4396153-057a-4a99-97fd-6fc890cc61b8/events/vevt:9b92e5c4-29f5-4067-a2b6-6e3b3c004df7/give/donation-options

02/26/2026

Our Silent Auction is LIVE! Even if you are unable to attend the awards gala on Saturday night, you can still bid on items in our Silent Auction, using our online platform. There's something for everyone - incredible trips, amazing experiences, timeless jewelry, and so much more. More items will be added as we get closer to Saturday night. The auction closes at the end of Saturday night's program. Proceeds from this year's event will fund much-needed renovations to the Wanda Whitten Heart House. Every bid helps support our cause! To view the items and register to bid, visit our One Cause event site: https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/f4396153-057a-4a99-97fd-6fc890cc61b8/events/vevt:9b92e5c4-29f5-4067-a2b6-6e3b3c004df7/auctions/silent-auction