Navy serviceman makes difference in young boy’s life
An air traffic controller first class at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida has been recognized for making a positive difference in a young boy’s life – through the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida. He’s Austin Holliday, originally from Clemson. Holliday earned the Ron Mobayed Military Big of the Year Award for his mentorship of a little brother named DaShawn. The award is named for a navy officer who was a Big Brother volunteer, but was killed, along with his aircraft crew, in 1995 in a crash off the coast of Virginia. At first, DaShawn was withdrawn but, bytaking him on several outings and coaching him on sports teams, Holliday was able to help make a change for the better in his little brother’s life. Paula Shell of Big Brothers Big Sisters Northwest Florida chapter says, “A big brother or big sister’s impact can last a lifetime and it can also cause a ripple effect.”