Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana announces its 2024 Big Brothers of the Year

Alyssa Utter, left, and Nick Utter, right, awarded Big Couple of the Year, smile with their little Chris in the middle. Photos provided by BBBSNEI.

Press release

FORT WAYNE – Big Brothers Big Sisters celebrated all of its volunteers with a Fall Harvest Festival-themed 2024 Volunteer Recognition Dinner on Thursday, October 10.

“Unleashing the potential of young people and, in turn, making our communities a better place would not be possible without the dedication of these extraordinary people,” Big Brothers Big Sisters said in a press release. The 5 volunteers – who embraced their role as mentors and friends with particular vigor and who demonstrated the impactful results to prove it – were announced as the Bigs of the Year for all Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana.

On Thursday, BBBS and Bigs teams from across Northeast Indiana traveled to Purdue Fort Wayne’s International Ballroom to take part in a night full of fall fun. This year’s Volunteer Recognition Dinner, held again for the first time in several years, featured a free dinner for your Grands, harvest festival games and lots of prizes that made the night “one to remember.” This event also featured the announcement of the Bigs of the Year for BBBSNEI, honoring the 5 selected Bigs who have gone above and beyond as volunteers, helping BBBS awaken the power and promise of youth.

The Big 5 who were awarded Big Brother, Big Sister, Big Couple and School Buddy of the Year:

Big Brother of the Year: Chase Lockwood.
Big Sister of the Year: Alma Jimenez.
Great Couple of the Year: Nick and Alyssa Utter.
Schoolmate of the Year: Sandra Brown.

Big sister Alma Jimenez and big couple Nick and Alyssa Utter are from Kosciusko County along with their little ones.

Great couple Nick and Alyssa were married to their younger brother Christopher for 7 years. There’s nothing this match can’t handle when together. And there’s no place they’d rather be on Sunday after church than together, eating a home-cooked meal. Christopher is now 18 years old, and his self-confidence and growth throughout the match gives his Big Couple a lot to brag about – especially since he recently graduated from high school. Big Brother Nick said: “We have loved watching our little one learn and grow over the last 5 years or so. Watching him try new things, learn what he likes and follow his heart has been so much fun.”

Alma and her little sister Yuridia met a decade ago and have built an unshakable foundation of friendship ever since. Yuridia said: “I like being able to try new things in life with my Big.” And after 10 years of living together, these two have entered many new phases of life – together! At 17 years old, Yuridia is in a new stage of her life: preparing for life beyond high school! Fortunately, she has an older sister who will be by her side on this new journey, offering wisdom and guidance when life brings new challenges.

BBBS said in its press release: “We would like to thank each of our Bigs who exemplify a commitment to change, give back and be a good friend – and a BIG special ‘thank you’ and congratulations to our Bigs of the Year for the Northeast of Indiana!”

To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters check out their website.