Dub Herring, better known as Paw Paw, received the Good Scout Award for being an inspiration to many in Picayune and for his contributions to the community, former Good Scout Award recipient and Master of Ceremonies Billy Walley said.
On Thursday, Herring was given the award for his commitment to the Boy Scouts as an executive board member of the Boy Scouts Pine Belt Area Council and a chairman of the Pearl River County Boy Scouts.
“I appreciate the Council for thinking of me. I just enjoy helping out the community and I have always wanted to do things for others,” Herring said, before quoting the Boy Scout’s slogan, “Do a good turn daily.”
When Herring was a child, his father struggled with alcohol abuse, he said. But with the power of the Lord, Herring found an avenue to ensure he didn’t follow the same path, and a platform to help those that do.
“The Boy Scouts represent everything good in the world,” Herring said. “It’s a reason to get kids off the streets and into an organization where they are exposed to good role models and also get to experience fun activities they normally wouldn’t if they weren’t involved.”
Throughout his life, Herring has helped the Boy Scouts of the Pine Belt area through his leadership, fundraising, speaking at Scout rallies and many other efforts that go unseen.
Herring said the Boy Scouts offer more than just a place to get away, it’s a perfect way to gain skills for the future and prepare for any career.
“You learn about nearly every aspect of life from being in Boy Scouts and it is very clear that everything you learn you will be able to use in the future,” William Smith, Life Scout in Pearl River County, said. “When you join the Boy Scouts, you gain more than just friends, you gain brothers.”
Herring said he learned a lot while in Boy Scouts that helped him become the business owner and person he is today.
“You learn important values in Boy Scouts, from how to cook, to how to save a life,” he said. “I was and will forever be a Boy Scout.”