House of Heroes Honors Service at Columbus Luncheon
The 10th annual Heart of Serving Luncheon in Columbus raised support for local veterans, first responders and their families.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Philanthropy
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House of Heroes National hosted its 10th annual Heart of Serving Luncheon Thursday at the Country Club of Columbus. The nonprofit, which started in Columbus, uses all money raised to continue renovating homes of local military veterans, first responders and their families.
Why it matters
The luncheon is meant to bring people together and introduce the organization to new people. The nonprofit says it needs both volunteers and financial help to keep its home repair work moving forward in Columbus.
The luncheon marked the 10th annual edition of the event, and House of Heroes has done home repairs for local heroes for 26 years. The total funds raised at the event and the number of homes expected to be renovated were not disclosed.
The players
House of Heroes National
A nonprofit organization founded in Columbus, Georgia, that repairs homes of local military veterans, first responders and their families.
Wayne Anthony
Founder and president of House of Heroes, who spoke at the luncheon about the organization's mission.
Skip Henderson
Mayor of Columbus, Georgia, who addressed attendees at the luncheon.
Jason Denis
An anchor at News Leader 9 who served as emcee for the event.
The details
Speakers at the luncheon included founder and president Wayne Anthony and Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson, while News Leader 9 anchor Jason Denis served as emcee. The program featured a musical performance by Dr. Luca Lombardi of Columbus State and Dr. Serena Scibelli of Georgia State University.
Timeline
Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026: 10th annual Heart of Serving Luncheon held at the Country Club of Columbus.
Black Friday, Nov. 27, 2026: House of Heroes begins offering gift wrapping at Peachtree Mall.
Through the holiday season, before Christmas: Gift wrapping available in exchange for donations.
Philanthropy Landscape
Veteran-focused home repair charities have grown as a volunteer-driven response to aging housing among former service members and first responders. House of Heroes' 10th annual luncheon shows how such local nonprofits sustain their work through community fundraising rather than government funding.
Shoppers at Peachtree Mall can donate to House of Heroes by having gifts wrapped starting Black Friday. Volunteers and financial contributions from Columbus residents directly support continued home repairs for local veterans and first responders.
The takeaway
Local residents can support veterans and first responders by volunteering with or donating to community nonprofits like House of Heroes. Gift wrapping at Peachtree Mall offers a simple way to contribute during the holiday season.
What happens next
Gift wrapping at Peachtree Mall begins on Black Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, and continues through the holiday season until Christmas.
Further reading
Explore more philanthropy coverage to see how Columbus nonprofits support their communities.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wtvm.
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