Beale Air Force Base, Calif. –
Sacrificing your time for the sake of another is a worthy reason to be recognized.
Staff Sgt. Preston Singleton, the Status of Resources Training and Systems Manager for Beale Command Post, was recognized by a local restaurant with the "Silver Sombrero" award in Sacramento, Calif., earlier this year.
Singleton's involvement with recruiting for the Sacramento Big Brother/Big Sister program and mentoring his little brother Jordan is what earned the 940th Wing Reservist the prestigious community recognition.
"Being nominated for this award came as a huge surprise and makes me want to work twice as hard to support the organization anyway I can," said Singleton. "I accept this award as being a sign of affirmation that I'm on the right path."
Growing up in the inner city of Los Angeles, Singleton said he wished a program like Big Brother/Big Sister had been around.
"When midnight came on my 24th birthday, I cried because I used to think I wouldn't live past my 21st birthday," Singleton said.
Instead of giving into the wrong crowd, Singleton said he clung to his coaches and teachers in high school.
"I really looked up to my baseball coach," said Singleton. "Though we had different ethnic backgrounds, I still looked to him as a model of a real man because he took care of his family and baseball team."
Singleton enjoys being around his little brother because of the "sense of giving of oneself." A typical day spent with Jordan includes basketball games and trips to the library.
"You think you are helping someone, but they are really helping you," said Singleton.