It is the season for giving. As we approach the holidays, many of the big players in the construction industry in the southwest are doing what they can to make it a better one for those in need. In other news, several organizations recently handed out awards to firms in both Arizona and New Mexico to recognize their accomplishments in 2015

ABA Helps Families in Need
In Arizona, this year’s Arizona Builders Alliance Toy Drive is in full swing. The drive aims to help as many needy children as possible by collecting donations of new, unwrapped toys or gifts for children between the ages of four and 18. The organization also provides homes and care for needy children and displaced, abused, neglected or orphaned families. The organization also accepts gift cards, cash, check, or credit donations. Interested parties must make donations by Dec. 15 to one of the ABA drop-off locations in Arizona. General contractors who would like to have their company listed as a drop-off location can contact Erica Lange at 602-274-8222, ext. 231.

Ryan Companies Takes Home AMCA Award
Also in Phoenix, the Associated Minority Contractors of America awarded 2015 Project of the Year to Ryan Companies US Inc. for its 2-million-sq-ft Marina Heights project. The organization presents the award annually to the project that provides minority and women business enterprises with the most opportunities.

“This is another facet of Ryan’s mission of ‘Building Lasting Relationships’,” said John Strittmatter, chairman, SouthWest Region, of Ryan Companies US, Inc. “Our Emerging Business Inclusion Program is a critical component of Ryan’s heritage in Arizona.”

Sundt Construction Earns Top Honors at 20th Annual DBIA Awards
The the design-build team led by Sundt Construction, Inc. recently earned top honors at the Design-Build Institute of America’s 20th Annual Design-Build Project/Team Awards for its work on the Old Main renovation at the University of Arizona in Tucson. The project was one of only 10 nationally to win such an award in its respective category. The primary focus of the project included rehabilitating deteriorated building elements to extend the 123-year-old building’s life, restoring the interiors to its original character with modern accents, and accommodating new functional uses.

Las Cruces Unveils $36-Million High School Renovation
The city of Las Cruces, New Mexico recently celebrated the new state-of-the-art facilities at Las Cruces High School. The $36 million project, completed by Wooten-Sundt, included the construction of a two-story classroom building, administration areas, media center, performing arts laboratory, several parking lots, athletic fields, and a pedestrian bridge built over one of the busiest streets in Las Cruces.

"Our team’s extensive experience in education construction played a significant role in completing this project ahead of schedule and within budget," said Sundt Project Director Kelly Pettigrew.