The Carousel Center has recognized two people with its 2021 Tin Man Awards, according to a news release.

The 2021 Tin Man Community Volunteer of the Year is Jon Blackburn, of Carpet Smart of Wilmington, and the 2021 Tin Man Community Professional of the Year is Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Detective Stephen Baize, stated the release.

The Carousel Center "recognizes and celebrates two members of our community who have helped build resiliency in child abuse survivors and provided exceptional service to children and/or their families" in the tri-county area, stated the release.

“The Carousel Center responds to reports of child physical and sexual abuse in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties,” said Tammy Simmons, chair of the board of directors, in the release.

Blackburn has consistently supported Carousel’s children, officials said.  

"Blackburn and the CarpetSmart Team are always ready, willing, and actually step right up and in to do the work – that is a precious commodity indeed," officials said in the release.

Baize "consistently utilizes TCC to support his investigations of crimes against children and a valued MDT partner in Brunswick County," stated the release. "He goes above and beyond the call of duty to help children through the CAC and criminal justice processes and makes himself available for child survivors and their grown-ups."