Walton Options for Independent Living and Tedford CPA announced the winners of the Most Valuable Partner Community Awards during the Celebration Brunch at the Legends Club. A total of five community awards and two organizational awards were presented to businesses, organizations and individuals, recognizing the work that has been done to create a more inclusive community for persons with disabilities in the CSRA.
 
The MVP Community Awards winners are:

Inclusive Employment Award: Adaptive Driving Solutions

Community Government Award: Project Burke Build

Public Accommodation & Communication Award: Regal Augusta Exchange Stadium 20

Outstanding Service Organization Award: Veteran K9 Solutions

Outstanding Individual Advocate Award: Aldwin Yarbrough
 
The Walton Options Special Recognition Awards are:

MVP Award: Carolyn Free

Dedicated Volunteer Service Award: Lura Maryland
 
“As an advocacy organization, our goal is not always just to bring the negative attention to necessary change, but also to highlight what is working and share those examples for good practice,” said Tiffany Clifford, Executive Director at Walton Options for Independent Living. “The goal of these Awards is to raise awareness of the positive steps that are being taken in the CSRA to benefit the disability community as well as get more business and community leaders thinking about what they could be doing to be inclusive. After the amazing event here today, I believe we have achieved just that.”
 
Hosted by WJBF’s Barclay Bishop, the Celebration Brunch brought together 130 business and community leaders from across the CSRA. The networking-style event offered guests the opportunity to share their experiences and ideas about ways to provide more inclusive services and opportunities for the disability community. Guest speaker Kellie Irving spoke about her commitment to make the CSRA more accessible for all those working and living in the area.
 
“From deep inside I am moved to do something,” said the City of Augusta Compliance Department Director during the brunch about her new role. “No matter how small and insignificant or large and monumental, I must courageously take a stand by speaking up, standing down, sitting in and moving change along. I commit to be fair, impartial and inclusive.”