Valley Partnership’s 2014 Community Project won a prestigious Crescordia Award Saturday evening at the 35th annual Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Awards.

Arizona Foundation for the Handicapped (AFH), last year’s community project recipient, was honored in the Site Development Private Sector category at the Arizona Forward event at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix.

“We are so thrilled that Valley Partnership won the Crescordia Award,” said Robyn Ratcliff, center director at AFH. “We have watched this amazing project come to life through the collaboration of many talented people who donated so much. This award is the perfect way to celebrate all that Valley Partnership does to support the community.”

Work at AFH included a built-in grill, seating for outside dining, the re-purposing of a sports court, exterior musical instruments, and a sensory garden. Valley Partnership’s member companies and their employees collaborated to add amenities and upgrade the exterior AFH’s clients, friends and families.

“The annual community project is at the heart of Valley Partnership’s legacy along with advocacy and networking for our members,” said Cheryl Lombard, President the CEO of Valley Partnership. “This award recognizes the commitment to community by having hundreds of our members give their time and money to a charitable cause around the Valley every year. I thank Arizona Forward for recognizing our work, and I especially thank Arizona Foundation for the Handicapped for letting us contribute to the meaningful impact it has on our community.”

Valley Partnership was represented at the awards show by committee members Dena Jones of Fidelity National Title and Heather Markham of Markham Contracting, the 2014 co-chairs;

AFH is a human services organization whose primary mission is to provide quality, individualized services to those with physical or intellectual challenges in the least restrictive environment. It offers programs for adults with physical or intellectual challenges such as Downs syndrome, autism or severe epilepsy.

Arizona Forward is an advocate for a balance between economic development and environmental quality. The non-profit and brings together business, community and civic leaders for thoughtful public dialogue on critical sustainability issues. Considered the “Academy Awards” of the Arizona environmental community, the event is the state’s oldest and most prominent competition of its kind.