OREANDA-NEWS. April 1, 2016.  Arizona volunteer Rashmi Bhakta was awarded P&G Professional's "Community Hotelier of the Year Award" presented in conjunction with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA). Bhakta was chosen as the grand prize winner after submitting an essay detailing her participation with and support of Child Crisis Arizona. The charity will receive a \\$10,000 award in Bhakta's name. Bhakta, who was not able to attend in person, was recognized on stage last night during the 2016 AAHOA Annual Convention and Trade Show awards presentation at the Nashville Convention Center. Amiti Bhow, who nominated Bhakta for the honor, accepted the recognition on Bhakta’s behalf.

The Community Hotelier of the Year Award recognizes an AAHOA member who demonstrates dedication and care for their community and expresses a desire to make a positive impact in the future with a \\$10,000 donation to the winner's charity of choice. Bhakta supports Child Crisis Arizona by organizing fundraising events like the Family Garba Night which had both philanthropic and cultural goals and raised more than \\$9,000 for the organization. "As a member of the Greater-Phoenix community, a working mother, and someone proud of my Indian ethnicity, I think it's important to give back to our communities – and to teach our children to do so as well," said Bhakta. "It is an honor to receive the P&G Professional Community Hotelier of the Year Award and I am proud to be able to make this contribution to Child Crisis Arizona to support our local children and to help break the cycle of child abuse and neglect."

Bhakta has resided in Gilbert, Arizona for nearly 13 years with her husband Rajesh, and son and daughter. She and her husband's families were both hoteliers and operated various properties. In an effort to get her children more involved in philanthropy, Bhakta also recently created a local youth group called the Future Leaders Youth (FLY) Club that supports Child Crisis Arizona, including recently donating Easter baskets that the group assembled. The club was created to teach young people the importance of leadership and giving back to the community and their outreach is focused on activities that involve culture, community and fun.

"The dedication and care displayed by AAHOA members shows an extraordinary level of commitment and all of the 2016 nominees are truly making a positive impact in the communities they serve," said Alan Tomblin, North America Director of Sales, P&G Professional. "P&G Professional congratulates Rashmi Bhakta for her efforts with Child Crisis Arizona, as well as all of the Community Hotelier of the Year award nominees for their valuable contributions."

P&G Professional is a proud sponsor of the Community Hotelier of the Year award and has supported the AAHOA awards for eight years. For more information on the P&G Professional Community Hotelier of the Year award, please visit www.pgpro.com/aahoa.

"There is a beauty in the way that Rashmi gives to Child Crisis Arizona. Not only has she contributed time and again to benefit Arizona’s most vulnerable children, but she inspires friends and family to be involved, thus creating an entire community that now has an increased awareness of the problems plaguing Arizona’s children and of the work being done by Child Crisis Arizona to stop child abuse and strengthen families," said Cheryl Hurd, Community Relations Manager, Child Crisis Arizona. "Thanks to Rashmi’s efforts, this generous award from P&G Professional will help to change the lives of abused, abandoned and neglected children who are being cared for in our shelters and impact thousands of families who seek our prevention classes and services each year."

About Child Crisis Arizona

Operating the only emergency shelters for children threatened with abuse and neglect from birth through age 11 in the Phoenix metro area, Child Crisis Arizona provides hope and services to vulnerable children and families. It is also the leading agency in Arizona to license, train and support foster and adoptive families, and provides early childhood education and resources for families through its early education services, parenting classes, workshops and playgroups.

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