Current Heart of the Community Award Recipients

Mimi Richards, 2024 Board of Governors Award Recipient

Mimi Richards, 2024 Board of Governors Award Recipient

It is said of Mimi Richards, if there is a cause, she is the first to show up, raise her hand and open her heart to whatever is needed. She uses her platform to help get the word out about difficult causes and events going on in the community. A native of Rome, and a...

Deana Perry, 2024 Young Heart Award Recipient

Deana Perry, 2024 Young Heart Award Recipient

Deana was born and raised in Rome. She received a B.A. Degree in History from Mercer University. She received her Juris Doctorate degree from Faulkner Law in Montgomery, Alabama. She practiced Family Law, Estate Law, and Juvenile Law at her law office Deana Perry,...

River Remedy Brewing Co., 2024 Awards of Honor Business Award

River Remedy Brewing Co., 2024 Awards of Honor Business Award

A group of locals (some born and raised here, while others are transplants who call Rome home) came together to start a brewery. They knew they had to do more than just make beer. They wanted to be able to give back to the community as part of their business model....

Ann Pullen, 2024 Awards of Honor Recipient

Ann Pullen, 2024 Awards of Honor Recipient

Ann Pullen has lived in Rome since 1994. She and her late husband, George (a long-time City Commissioner and faculty member at Georgia Highlands College) worked to develop living spaces in a building on the Cotton Block and were some of the earliest “loft residents”...

LaDonna Collins, 2024 Awards of Honor Recipient

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...

Phillip Gaines, 2024 Awards of Honor Recipient

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...

Terrence Hight, Sr. 2024 Awards of Honor Recipient

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...