Panama City Beach, Fla – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida is honored to posthumously present our 2023 Michael Robidoux Hero Award to a dedicated Big Brother, board member and longtime friend, A.J. Bacon. He was an advocate and true warrior for Big Brothers Big Sisters for many years and made an enormous impact on the Bay County community and the youth in Northwest Florida.
A.J. was matched with his Little Brother Danterius in 2011 and they stayed officially matched until he graduated. The relationship, however, continued, until A.J. tragically passed away in late 2022. A.J. was a father figure to Danterius and taught him many life lessons that helped guide him to be the exceptional young man he is today. Danterius shared with us that he plans to continue A.J.’s legacy by becoming a Big Brother in the future. On May 23, 2023, our staff honored A.J.’s commitment to Danterius and to the BBBSNWFL agency, by presenting the Michael Robidoux Hero award to his wife, Ivy Bacon, during a private ceremony.
Michael Robidoux was a Big Brother who was matched with his Little Brother Deontrez for over three years. On Sunday, March 25, 2018, Michael passed away after saving two young children from dangerous surf at Navarre Beach. In 2019, Big Brothers Big Sisters decided to honor his legacy by establishing the Michael Robidoux Hero Award and present it annually to a Big who exemplifies the passion for serving others as Michael did.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida will forever miss our dear friend A.J. Bacon, whose dedication to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida was unsurpassed. We are also grateful for Ivy Bacon, who continues to support our mission, by serving as a Bay County Advisory Board Member. Thank you, Ivy, for allowing us to honor A.J.’s memory and for being such a vital part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters family.