The Community Services Council of Carroll County has awarded the 2002 Sylvia Canon Humanitarian Award to Karen Blandford, administrator of the Westminster Office of Housing and Community Development.

During the 15 years she has worked for the city, Blandford has established several shelters and worked with housing projects to benefit all ages.

Projects she has worked on include community centers, recreational opportunities and the new Arts Council center. She is a founding member of Human Services Programs of Carroll County, has volunteered with United Way and the Maryland Housing Coalition, and has promoted programs to help the needy.

The award was named for Sylvia Canon, founder and first director of Human Services Programs. It recognizes employees or retirees of local human service organizations who demonstrate creativity, innovation and a commitment to help county residents.

Other nominees for the 2002 award were: Kathryn C. Brown, executive director of Shepherd's Staff; Dr. Elizabeth Ruff, medical director and deputy health officer for the Carroll County Health Department; Richard Michael Salkin, crisis intervention specialist with Family and Children's Services; JoAnn Hare, executive director of Rape Crisis Intervention Service of Carroll County.

Also, Debbie Zepp, volunteer coordinator for Carroll Hospice; Linda Vanderhoff, American Red Cross district director for Carroll and Harford counties; David J. Tucker, Carroll County supervisor for the Maryland Department of Juvenile Justice; and Gloria Bair, Family Links coordinator for Human Services Programs.

The Community Services Council is a network of county human service organizations designed to strengthen ties between providers, educate others about community services, and identify and advocate to meet gaps in service needs.