FORT WAYNE – On Thursday, Big Brothers Big Sisters celebrated all its volunteers with a Fall Harvest Festival-themed 2024 Volunteer Recognition Dinner.
The five volunteers — who embraced their role as mentor and friend with particular vigor and who demonstrated the impactful results to prove it — were announced as the Bigs of the Year for all of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana, according to a provided news release.
On Thursday, BBBS staff and Bigs from all over Northeast Indiana traveled to Purdue Fort Wayne’s International Ballroom to join in on an evening full of fall fun. This year’s Volunteer Recognition Dinner, hosted again for the first time in several years, featured a free dinner for its Bigs, harvest festival games and loads of prizes. This event also features the announcement of the Bigs of the Year for BBBSNEI, honoring the selected five Bigs who have gone above and beyond as volunteers, helping BBBS ignite the power and promise of youth.
The five Bigs that were awarded Big as Big Brother, Big Sister, Big Couple and School Buddy of the Year:
1. Big Brother of the Year: Chase Lockwood
2. Big Sister of the Year: Alma Jimenez
3. Big Couple of the Year: Nick and Alyssa Utter
4. School Buddy of the Year: Sandra Brown
Big Sister Alma Jimenez and Big Couple Nick and Alyssa Utter hail from Kosciusko County, along with their Littles.
Big Couple Nick and Alyssa have been matched with Little Brother Christopher for seven years. There’s nothing this match can’t face when together, the release states. And there’s no place they’d rather be on a Sunday after church than with each other, eating a home-cooked meal. Christopher is now 18 years old, and his self-confidence and growth throughout their match gives his Big Couple a lot to brag about — especially since he recently graduated from high schoo. Nick said, “We have absolutely loved watching our Little learn and grow through the last five-plus years. Seeing him try new things, learn what he enjoys and follow his heart has been so fun.”
Alma and her Little Sister, Yuridia, first met a decade ago and have built an unshakable foundation of friendship since. Yuridia said, “I like being able to experience new things in life with my Big.” And after 10 years of being matched, these two have entered many new life stages — together. At 17 years old, Yuridia is at a new stage in her life: preparing for life beyond high school. Thankfully, she has a Big Sister who will be there for her on this new journey, offering wisdom and guidance when life brings new challenges.
To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, check out the website at https://www.bbbsnei.org/