Warsaw Man Awarded 2022 Big Of The Year
February 21, 2023 at 9:49 p.m.
Warsaw Man Awarded 2022 Big Of The Year
By Staff Report-
Each year, the agency selects a Big Brother and Big Sister from one of its 13 counties to honor as “Big of the Year,” according to a news release from BBBS. For Hollar, this honor is long overdue. Matched in 2015 through the “School Buddies” program, Hollar volunteered to meet with a local child once a week during school lunch. During this time, Hollar formed a bond with his School Buddy Chris, helped him with homework and became a trusted confidant.
One year later, Chris asked his mother to transition to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Community-Based Program, where he and Big Brother Hollar could meet outside of school for special outings. Chris and Hollar have been meeting regularly ever since, and Hollar even attended Chris’ high school graduation in 2022. As per the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission, Hollar has worked hard to defend and ignite Little Brother Chris’ potential by helping him keep his grades up and seek job opportunities that fit his interests, the news release states.
“I remember the first time we walked out together after meeting at Chris’ elementary school,” Hollar said. “I knew right then that I made the right choice and that I was doing something that was going to have a big impact on my life as well.”
“Over the years, Big Brother Zane has been involved with just about everything at BBBS, he has been one of our loudest voices promoting growth in his local county – particularly among the younger generation. He is a personal donor and works with BBBS on special events, collecting auction items for fundraisers, hosting tables, giving speeches and helping with recruitment,” said Shelley Schwab, chief development officer. “He is a voice for BBBS within his company and advocates for BBBS nonstop! He presents to business groups, champions BBBS in the hallways of his workplace and on the stage! Zane gives everything he possibly can to further the mission for BBBS, including being the ambassador chair. When Little Brother Chris graduated high school, Zane was there.”
As the next step of the Big of the Year process, Hollar will be nominated for Indiana State Big of the Year and – if he wins – for nationals. In the past 12 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana has won three National Big of the Year awards, and in 2021, its Big Sister of the Year and Big Brother of the Year both hailed from Kosciusko County, with honors going to Big Couple Terry and Sherry Milton as well as Big Sister Wanda Tiltges.
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. For 50 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that the ability to succeed and thrive in life is inherent in all children. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. To learn how you can positively impact a child’s life, donate or volunteer at www.BBBSNEI.org.
Each year, the agency selects a Big Brother and Big Sister from one of its 13 counties to honor as “Big of the Year,” according to a news release from BBBS. For Hollar, this honor is long overdue. Matched in 2015 through the “School Buddies” program, Hollar volunteered to meet with a local child once a week during school lunch. During this time, Hollar formed a bond with his School Buddy Chris, helped him with homework and became a trusted confidant.
One year later, Chris asked his mother to transition to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Community-Based Program, where he and Big Brother Hollar could meet outside of school for special outings. Chris and Hollar have been meeting regularly ever since, and Hollar even attended Chris’ high school graduation in 2022. As per the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission, Hollar has worked hard to defend and ignite Little Brother Chris’ potential by helping him keep his grades up and seek job opportunities that fit his interests, the news release states.
“I remember the first time we walked out together after meeting at Chris’ elementary school,” Hollar said. “I knew right then that I made the right choice and that I was doing something that was going to have a big impact on my life as well.”
“Over the years, Big Brother Zane has been involved with just about everything at BBBS, he has been one of our loudest voices promoting growth in his local county – particularly among the younger generation. He is a personal donor and works with BBBS on special events, collecting auction items for fundraisers, hosting tables, giving speeches and helping with recruitment,” said Shelley Schwab, chief development officer. “He is a voice for BBBS within his company and advocates for BBBS nonstop! He presents to business groups, champions BBBS in the hallways of his workplace and on the stage! Zane gives everything he possibly can to further the mission for BBBS, including being the ambassador chair. When Little Brother Chris graduated high school, Zane was there.”
As the next step of the Big of the Year process, Hollar will be nominated for Indiana State Big of the Year and – if he wins – for nationals. In the past 12 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana has won three National Big of the Year awards, and in 2021, its Big Sister of the Year and Big Brother of the Year both hailed from Kosciusko County, with honors going to Big Couple Terry and Sherry Milton as well as Big Sister Wanda Tiltges.
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. For 50 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that the ability to succeed and thrive in life is inherent in all children. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. To learn how you can positively impact a child’s life, donate or volunteer at www.BBBSNEI.org.
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