Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay was honored to be the beneficiary of the inaugural Tampa Bay Father of the Year Awards, held on June 17 at the Bob Buckhorn River Center. Hosted by the National Father’s Day Council, the event celebrated four remarkable men whose leadership, service, and commitment to family have made a lasting impact on our community.
This year’s honorees included:
- Lavonte David, Super Bowl Champion and longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers standout
- John Couris, President & CEO of Tampa General Hospital
- Todd Wanek, Chairman & CEO of Ashley Furniture Industries
- Oscar Horton, Chairman & CEO of Sun State International Trucks
Each honoree represents the values that define exceptional fathers and mentors—integrity, leadership, perseverance, and a dedication to serving others. Their influence extends well beyond their professional accomplishments and serves as an inspiration for future generations.
The event also highlighted the critical role fathers and positive male role models play in the lives of young people. Research shows that children with caring, engaged adults are more likely to succeed in school, build healthy relationships, and develop the confidence needed to achieve their goals.
Proceeds from the luncheon benefited Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay and our mission to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. We are grateful to the National Father’s Day Council for bringing this meaningful tradition to Tampa Bay and for investing in the future of local children and families.
