Stow resident Cory Marinan is being honored as the Big Brother of the year from the Big Brothers and Sisters of Summit and Medina Counties, thanks to his work with his little brother Kiva.

Marinan has been a big brother (ADD IN QUOTES AROUND THIS AT FIRST REFERENCE) for almost five years and has been matched with 13-year-old Kiva for all five JUST ALL FIVE… TIGHTEN UP NELSON of those. They have gone fishing (OBVIOUSLY) together, played mini-golf together (OBVIOUSLY…TIGHTEN!!) and gone on hikes through the forest. Marinan and Kiva meet once a week after school and every other weekend for most of the afternoon.

“Volunteering for something like this is a really easy thing to do,” Marinan said. “Especially when you have a really great kid like Kiva to work with. I would encourage other people to give their time because you get a lot out of it.

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“These kids really want and appreciate just having someone to talk to and someone to bounce ideas off of.”

Case Manager Diane Zajac is very proud of the work that Marinan does with his little brother.

“[He’s] very patient with Kiva,” Zajac said. “He’s a real dedicated person. Cory does it without second thought.”

The Big Brother program ends when the child turns 18; however, the two can remain friends for as long as they can.

“I think they’ll be lifelong friends,” Zajac said. “[Kiva’s] mom says they’re like two peas in a pod. Kiva’s mom even had Cory become his godfather. That says a lot.”

Marinan was honored on Dec. 4 at the Cathedral Buffet in Cuyahoga Falls. He received a plaque and recognition for all of his hard work and dedication.

Big Brothers and Sisters matches children from single-parent families with positive adult role models. The program is always in need of male volunteers as there are nearly 100 children on the waiting list, most of them boys.

Volunteers must be 18 years or older, have a car and car insurance and must be willing to commit for one year.

“[The kids] really don’t ask for much and you get a lot out of it,” Marinan said. “All that’s asked is if you can spare two hours per week. It takes just a little and the kids really appreciate it.”

Zajac said that the match between Marinan and Kiva is perfect.

“They’re an excellent match,” Zajac said. “I couldn’t ask for a better pairing.”

For more information, call 330-376-6503 in Summit County or 330-725-8455 in Medina County.