Dover Native Named “Ohio’s Big Brother of the Year” – Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Ohio got the scoop on which of their own mentors was named “Ohio’s Big Brother of the Year” for 2023. Find out who earned the title right here on Newsymom!
Dover Native Named “Ohio’s Big Brother of the Year”
New Philadelphia, OH – March 6 th , 2023
Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Ohio has received notification that one of their own mentors was named “Ohio’s Big of the Year”. Dan Warther of Dover has been given the title of “Ohio’s Big Brother of the Year” for 2023. This is the second time in 3 years that this local agency has produced a Big of the Year, as Brittany Douglas was previously given this award in 2020.
About Dan
Dan has been a mentor for Cooper for 6 years through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Dan has always been active in the community serving as a volunteer for The Dover Exchange Club and has always supported Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Ohio in any way he can. He has made Christmas Ornaments for the kids and wooden name tags for the staff and board through his knowledge and talent of woodworking. However, Dan wanted to do more. He understood the need for male mentors
and decided to help a family by being a big.
Cooper’s mother enrolled him in the program shortly after unexpectedly losing his father through complications of pancreatic cancer. This was hard on all of the children in the household, but his mother knew that her two oldest boys would need another male influence in their lives to help them cope with the trauma that they endured. Cooper is described as being creative and imaginative, and because of Dan’s creative brain and being a woodworker – the two were matched.
These were some of the letters that were submitted with the nominations sent to the national office:
Dan & Cooper = A Match Made Over Ice Cream, Car Shows, and Community
Throughout the years, they have bonded over the love of ice cream, car shows, and community service events. Dan has helped Cooper come out of his shell and really begin to blossom into the young man he
is meant to be. Cooper had a mild fear of heights, but during a match event sponsored through BBBSECO, Dan and Cooper completed a high ropes course with confidence. Woodworking has been a central theme in their relationship and the pair made a large-size working lock and key to auction at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Ohio Gala in 2018. Together, they worked the crowd at the event and drew in $3,000 for the one of a kind project. Dan continuously has people in the community tell him what a great influence he has been for Cooper and what a difference he has made. Cooper has also taught Dan a few things, like how to use his cell phone and other technology. He also keeps Dan up to date on current events.
Making Ripples in the Community and Beyond
Both Dan & Cooper have cultivated a lasting friendship and have made our community a better place.
Through his time with Cooper, Dan can see a ripple effect of impact throughout their influential circle and beyond. Dan has been submitted for the National Big Brother of the Year award through Big Brothers Big Sisters
of America. The winner of the prestigious award will be announced at the 2023 Big Brothers Big Sisters National Conference in June.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Ohio
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 charitable organization with eight paid employees and
three types of programs: Community-based Mentoring, School-based Mentoring, and Big Futures.
Currently, there are 76 children enrolling into the mentoring programs. Big Brothers Big Sisters needs
more mentors to match these children with caring adults.
Stand with us to positively impact a child’s life; donate or volunteer today at http://www.bigs4kids.com.
