On Tuesday night, David Bates, the founder of Warriors Way, was rewarded as the area’s representative to the national Jefferson Awards for Public Service.
David Trinko | The Lima News
LIMA — David Bates felt like was on a mission to help veterans address mental health issues through making knives.
He never expected the notoriety that came along with founding Shawnee Township-based Warriors Way. On Tuesday night, he was rewarded as the area’s representative to the national Jefferson Awards for Public Service.
“Whenever you start something like this up, you always have people that are going to tell you, ‘You’re wasting your time. You’re not doing any good.’ You get some people, the naysayers,” Bates said earlier this month. “But if there’s only the ability to save one veteran, it’s worth it.”
Bates learned Tuesday night he beat out eight other winners during a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Civic Center in downtown Lima.
See the full story about David Bates and Warriors Way
Adult recipients received a $350 donation for their organizations, donated by the family of the late Alberta Lee. The youth recipient received a $250 donation, sponsored by Ed and Sandra Monfort. Bates will represent the area at the national competition, and he received an additional $700 for the organization of his choice.
The awards are sponsored by Cenovus Energy Lima Refinery, Your Hometown Stations, The Lima News and United Way of Greater Lima. Tuesday’s emcees were Holly Geaman, of Your Hometown Stations, and David Trinko, of The Lima News.
Bates created his program in 2016 after seeing how crafting knives helped him with his own post-traumatic stress disorder.
After starting small, the program served 70 people in 2020 and helped 250 last year. They’re on track for more than 600 people this year, as the program expanded to help youth and first responders with their mental health issues. He’s seen the impact of his outreach grow, with other veterans helping along the way.
“Veterans don’t like to ask for help,” he said. “But if I ask a veteran for help, they’re going to jump all over because that’s their opportunity to help.”
Other local winners honored Tuesday included:
• Richard “Butch” Brewer, of Harrod, who facilitates the Veterans Helping Veterans group and serves as a veteran advocate in Allen County’s veteran court.
• Roberta Brewer, of Harrod, who actively volunteers for Lima Memorial’s Auxiliary and coordinates the gift shop at the hospital.
• Brett and Rhonda Casady, of Lima, who dedicate hours to coordinating and helping with the Allen County All Abilities Baseball League.
• Larry and Ginny Cress, of Lima, who created the Wheellhouse, which renovates bicycles and donates them to people who need transportation.
• Paige Fiebelkorn, of Wapakoneta, who created Generations of Love, which provides essentials to families bringing foster children into their homes.
• Lucas Kline, of Wapakoneta, a youth who greets and helps people at the Loaves and Fishes Community Meal each week.
• Nancy J. Kline, of Pandora, who brings crafts projects into nursing home and assisted living facilities in Putnam County.
• Gregory Williamson, of Lima, who started the Team Lima Booster Club 31 years ago to give children a positive, athletic outlet and stability.
