(left to right) NRS volunteer, Joe Morris with NRS Executive Director, Maureen Blaha and NRS Volunteer, Kelvin Kakazu.

On October 5, 2010, the National Runaway Switchboard executive director, Maureen Blaha, was awarded the 2010 Casa of Cook County Spirit Award at the annual Cocktails for Casa event hosted by Casa of Cook County.

Blaha who was nominated for the Spirit Award by NRS volunteer, Kelvin Kakazu, was chosen as the 2010 award recipient because of the difference that she makes in the lives of children in the community that most reflected and embodied the spirit of Casa and their mission.