Melissa Rutledge, 2023 Young Heart Award Recipient

Melissa Rutledge

A native of Cedartown, Melissa received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Savannah College of Art and Design.

Her activities include:
• Founder and organizer of Rome Knitterati
• Secretary and graphic designer with Rome International Film Festival
• Board member, Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful
• Former Gallery Coordinator and former board member at Makervillage
• Volunteer fundraiser for Floyd Felines
• Creator of Free Art Friday in Rome
• Other volunteer activities have included volunteering with: Brighter Birthdays; Cancer Navigators; Rome Downtown Development; CRBI “Catfish Kissing Contest”; Davies Shelters; Hospitality House for Women, Inc; Public Animal Welfare Services (P.A.W.S); and Rome Area Council for the Arts (RACA).

Nominator: “Melissa is always working on at least one if not more community service projects.”

Kelly Sanker, 2023 Awards of Honor Recipient

Kelly Sanker

Kelly worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 10 years before deciding to be a stay-at-home mom and yoga instructor. Originally from Lagrange, she and her husband, Jason, have lived in Rome for 18 years. They have three children ages 16,13 and 10.

• Sustainer in Junior Service League of Rome with active membership and leadership positions
• Worked closely with Harbor House – The Northwest Georgia Child Advocacy Center
• Member of the First Baptist Church of Rome where she serves as a Deacon, Bible Study Teacher and on church committees
• Exchange Club Family Resource Center – 2022 Star Volunteer and current President
• Fundraising for Gary Tillman Memorial Clocktower 5K Race
• Chairman for “An Evening with Scott Thompson” benefitting the Family Resource Center
• Volunteer with Rome Community Kitchen
• Volunteer with Living Proof Recovery
• Teacher of trauma Yoga

Nominator: “Kelly is an amazing mom who loves her community and continues to give back on a daily basis.”

 

Cristin Warden, 2023 Awards of Honor Recipient

Cristin Warden


Cristin is a native of Michigan and grew up in a military family. After working more than 10 years in the financial industry, Cristin elected to home school her children and serve the community. She and her husband, Anthony, reside in Rome and have two daughters.
Cristin received a Bachelor of Science in Management with a minor in Organizational Psychology from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Her activities include:
• Founder of Brighter Birthdays which provides birthday party supplies and gifts to 2500 children annually in Floyd County and surrounding areas
• Volunteer with Floyd Felines
• Crocheted pieces that were sold at Mel and Mimi’s to benefit the Community Kitchen
• Participates with Rome Knitterati projects including winter wear for homeless individuals and pieces displayed on Broad Street
• Financial Literacy Coach for the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Georgia and Restoration Rome
• Oversees and gives direction to the ministry of teen moms at Young Lives
• Donates time and meets needs at Community Kitchen

Nominators: “Where there is a need, Cristin tries to fulfill that need as soon as possible. She has a big heart and compassion for those who are struggling.”

Wesley Walraven, 2023 Board of Governors Award Recipient

Wesley Walraven

Wes Walraven moved to Floyd County in 1970 at the age of 8 when his family relocated the area. His father Wesley C. Walraven was the founding Academic Dean of Georgia Highlands College.
Wes graduated Pepperell High School in 1980 and received a BBA in Finance from the University of Georgia in 1983 and a Master of Management Studies from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Chicago.

He returned to make Rome his primary residence in 2011 and has focused his philanthropic efforts to many worthwhile causes in the area including:
• Responsible the fundraising campaign for the Fairview School project and the restoration campaign for the Vann Cabin in Cave Spring.
• Founded the Walraven Family Scholarship at Georgia Highlands College. To date, the scholarship has provided full tuition to over 25 Pepperell High School graduates pursuing an Associate of Arts degree at GHC.
• Provided financial support to the Desoto Theatre, the Foundation Camp at Georgia Highlands College, Chieftains Museum, Rome Symphony Orchestra, Rome Area Heritage Foundation, Berry College’s McAllister Hall Animal Science Building, Oak Hill & The Martha Berry Museum, The Davies Shelters, Open Door Home, AIDS Resource Council of Rome, Darlington School, Rome Area Council for the Arts, Coosa River Basin Initiative and the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Georgia
• Currently serves on the Board of Trustees of The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
• Restored five houses in the Rome’s historic “Between the Rivers” district and two in historic Cave Spring
• Hosted charity events in support of numerous Rome and Floyd County organizations

Nominators: “Wes has provided support to many members of the local community as they faced financial hardship often arising as a result of medical or addiction related issues.”

2022 Heart of the Community Awards of Honor Recipients

This year, seven of Rome’s “unsung” heroes will be honored at the Heart of the Community Awards of Honor gala called An Affair of the Heart.  For 36 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.

Our 2022 recipients include: Rev. Norris Allen, Tina Brinson, Board of Governors’ honoree Villa Hizer, Business Award honoree Hardy Realty, Lauren Sklar, Scott Thompson and David Thornton.

Proceeds from the event will be designated for heart education and safety programs in the Rome and Floyd County community. Previously funded projects have included the Heart House for families of critically ill patients on the 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.

 

For more information on the Heart of the Community, contact:  Wanda Whitten, 706-802-3924 or  Heart of the Community Facebook.

Villa Sulzbacher Hizer, 2022 Board of Governors’ Award Recipient

Villa Sulzbacher Hizer,
Board of Governors’ Award

A native Roman whose family came to Rome in the 1830s,  Villa graduated Thornwood School, now Darlington, and earned her B.A. degree in mathematics at the University of Georgia.  She and her late husband, Courtney, owned and operated North Georgia Distributing Co., a beer and wine wholesale company for 28 years.

She continues to serve on the following Board of Directors:

Boys & Girls Clubs of NW GA -38 years -Received a Distinguished Service Award Chieftains Museum serving as President and Treasurer and now on advisory board
Community Foundation for Greater Rome
University of Georgia Libraries Board of Visitors

Other community involvement has included:
Greater Rome Chamber
Women in Management
Leadership Rome
Darlington School Alumni Council
Darlington Distinguished Alumni Award
Leadership Darlington
American Cancer Society
Heart of the Community
Rome Area Heritage Foundation
Summit Quest
Regions Bank
Junior Service League   Sustainer of the Year 1997
Historic Desoto Theatre Foundation
Georgia Beer Wholesalers

Supporter of many non-profits

Leisure Activities:
Seven Hills Garden Club
Co-Vestors Investment Club
Bonneville Land Speed Racing

2022 Award Recipients: