Darlington School has been selected to receive the Heart of the Community's Business Community Service Award at the 29th Annual "Affair of the Heart" on Feb. 14. The Heart of the Community awards are sponsored each year by Redmond Regional Medical Center and produced by the Heart of the Community Board of Governors.
"It is a huge honor for Darlington School to be recognized by our community in this manner," said Head of School Brent Bell. "Servant leadership is at the very core of who we are as an institution, and we are immensely proud of our faculty, staff and students for their contributions to Rome and Floyd County."
The idea of "Service Beyond Self" has been one of Darlington’s core values since the school was founded in 1905. This is evidenced by the following efforts of the school's employees and students:
Students:
- Complete thousands of hours of service each year
- Go to Boys & Girls Club, Open Door Home and McHenry Primary weekly
- Athletic teams do at least one servant leadership effort each year
- Have had international service trips to India, Haiti and the Dominican Republic
- Volunteer at local retirement centers, prepare meals for homeless shelter, do clothing drives, and much more
Faculty and Staff:
- Darlington encourages faculty and staff to serve and get involved in the community.
- Currently have employees on boards and committees at organizations like South Rome Redevelopment Corporation, Sexual Assault Center of NWGA, Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce, Rome Area History Museum, Junior Service League, One Book Many Voices, and Open Door Home.
Each year, Darlington School also hosts community events like:
- Special Olympics
- Tri for the Kids and Sprint & Youth Triathlon
- Light the Lake for cancer awareness
- Two blood drives per year
Darlington was nominated for this award by Tannika Wester, director of media relations, who writes: “I have experienced, firsthand, Darlington School’s commitment to encouraging its faculty and staff members to serve our community in different ways – and to wholeheartedly supporting us as we do it.” (Click here to read her nomination letter in its entirety.)
Also being honored this year are Board of Governors award recipient Dr. J. Paul Ferguson; Heart of the Community award recipients Chris Carey, Ruth Forrester, Evelyn Hamilton and Randy Quick; Young Heart Honoree Ali Freeman; and fellow Business Communty Service award recipient Coosa Valley Credit Union. (Click here to read the full announcement at www.hometownheadlines.com.)
The Heart of the Community Foundation will sponsor "Loving Hearts Move," a heart walk-cycle-paddle, on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 9:30 a.m. at the Town Green. Participation is free but donations are encouraged. The "Affair of the Heart" banquet will take place later that evening at 6 p.m. at The Forum in downtown Rome. Tickets are available at www.theheartofthecommunity.com or by calling Wanda Whitten at 706-802-3924.
