The biggest changes in a person’s life often start with small efforts.

Just ask Dan Worstell, president of Pyramid Roofing in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. After signing up as a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Williamsburg, he was quickly paired with a 7-year-old named Jordan.

The plan was to spend a few hours a month with the boy over the course of a year, sharing some activities and generally being a positive male role model for him. On the way to their first outing to the batting cages, however, Jordan looked at Worstell and asked him a direct question: Did he plan to stick around, or was he just going to bail after the year was up?

They both persevered, recently celebrating 10 years as “Big” and “Little,” and their lives have changed for the better as a result of their relationship.

Photo provided by Dan Worstell

The Worstell family — wife Tammy and sons Derek and Drew — have made a lifelong connection with Jordan, making him part of family activities from holiday celebrations to just hanging out around the house. Worstell also attends Jordan’s sporting events and hangs photos of all of the boys — and many of the fish they’ve caught — on the walls of his office.

Worstell’s participation with Big Brothers Big Sisters doesn’t surprise Jonathan Winoker, a Richmond-Virginia Beach area territory manager for Atlas Roofing.

“It fits his personality perfectly,” Winoker said. “Dan is not only a great roofer, and one of the most prominent roofing contractors in the Hampton Roads area, he’s also a stand-up guy who cares about his employees and community. This is evident through the things he does in the community, giving back time and time again.”

Worstell roofed the home of a disabled veteran for free and also supplied the labor to install roofing shingles (donated by Atlas) at the Jamestown 4-H Center. On rain and snow days, the roofers don’t want to be sent home, so the office blasts out a Facebook post letting people know that the guys are available to do odd jobs around the house. All Worstell asks in return is a $15 minimum donation to the Grove Christian Outreach Center.

And if you’re ever in the Chick-fil-A drive-through in Hampton Roads, especially on a rainy morning, try to get behind Worstell’s truck.

“He hands the credit card to the girl at the window and tells her he will circle back in line,” Winoker said. “People behind him get a free breakfast, plus a chip-clip with the Pyramid Roofing name and logo on it. Dan gets great feedback when he does this.”