2 days ago
Mentor honored for his big commitment to youth empowerment
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida celebrated a volunteer who has gone above and beyond in fulfilling the organization's mission of empowering youth in Bay County.
The '2025 Virginia Thomas Big of the Year Award' in Bay County recognizes a mentor who exemplifies extraordinary commitment, compassion, and service to the youth in the community.
The non-profit organization named Gage Proctor as this year's recipient.
Proctor has been a mentor or 'Big Brother' with the organization since 2021.
Over the past three and a half years, Proctor has helped his mentee, or 'Little Brother,' Khayman, academically and socially.
Proctor was surprised and humbled by the honor.
He said this is by far the easiest award he's ever earned.
'This was an easy award to win because I just get to hang out with him [Khayman] and it's fun. And it's a good time. It's always been a good time,' said Proctor.
Khayman's family called Proctor 'one in a million.'
The Virginia Thomas Big of the Year Award is named in honor of longtime community advocate, Virginia Thomas, who moved to the Panama City area in 1965 and quickly immersed herself in service.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida is in need of more mentors for their program.
To learn more about becoming a 'Big,' click here.
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