Harris awarded for volunteer efforts

Mountain Brook resident Austin Harris was recently awarded the Silver Presidential Volunteer Service Award for his volunteer efforts this summer, totalling more than 200 hours of community service. 

In addition to the award, 16-year-old Harris received a letter and certificate from President Barack Obama. 

He volunteered for 167 hours at the Shades Valley Family Branch of the Birmingham YMCA.

In New Orleans, he earned 40 volunteer hours by repairing homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina with the Canterbury United Methodist Church youth group.

Harris is a junior at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Ga., where he is a squad leader and a member of the varsity basketball squad.

He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Tyra Harris.