Season of giving: Hooker’s All Ohio Recovery has biggest bike, toy giveaway

PHOTOS BY AMBER MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY
Hooker’s All Ohio Recovery had its biggest bike and toy giveaway ever Dec. 21.

By CHRISTINA McCUNE | BGNN managing editor

BARBERTON  For years, Rick Hooker, owner of Hooker’s All Ohio Recovery, has fixed up bicycles and given them to neighborhood kids.

The family-owned and operated business at 188 Snyder Ave., also used to help out Elves & More of Northeast Ohio. A few years ago the Hooker family decided to organize an event before Christmas. The annual bike giveaway grew from there.

This year has been the biggest year yet, according to information provided by Crystal Hooker, manager at Hooker’s All Ohio Recovery.

They gave away at least 250 bikes and ride-on toys, she said.

Hooker’s All Ohio Recovery begins to hook people in by posting on its Facebook page updates about the event and announces the date and time closer to the event. Just like Christmas morning, there’s suspense involved, fun and, of course, surprises.

Year-round, people donate items. Toys, hats, gloves and bikes were donated from family, friends and longstanding and loyal customers like Dean and Joanne Porr, and Debbie Wilkinson, as well as the Barberton Police Department and Friends in Tents and local businesses such as Magic City Motorcars, Platas Handyman Services, Last Ride Recovery, Braden’s Auto LLC & Towing, and Magic Money.

Rick Hooker owns the business and his daughter, Crystal, is the manager, and the giveaway is a true family event. Rick said he would like to thank the community for another successful event as well as loyal customers, friends and family, tow community, and local businesses. He had special thanks to DJ Redd Robb for music and Grinch antics, Santa Swiat, Deez Huntz, and Akron Shrek. He especially would like to thank his employees and family “for always rising to the occasion, jumping on board and backing me up.” Along with Crystal, Rick and Tina Hooker’s other grown children are Amber Kramer, of Amber Marie Photography who took pictures at the event, and sons, Ricky and Aaron. Even a couple grandsons help out. Anthony Lisle is one of the elves who really helps to get the bikes fixed and cleaned up, Crystal Hooker said. The 20-year-old has been helping since he was 15. Another grandson, Aaron, 12, also helped out a lot, she said.

The Hookers said they would like to thank their tow brothers and sisters and their families for always coming together to help out, and always having each other’s backs.

“It is nice to make a phone call and know our tow community will come together for any occasion but especially to spread some holiday cheer.”

This year, companies included Akron Coach, Miller’s Towing, Jeffrey’s Towing, Kinney’s Towing, Greg’s Towing, Braden’s Auto LLC & Towing, & Last Ride Recovery.

“We do this every year because it is just nice to give back to the community,” Crystal Hooker said on behalf of her family. “Our community that gives to us all year. Without our community and loyal customers supporting us for almost 40 years, we wouldn’t be here. Plus times are hard right now. So if there is anything we can do to put a smile on someone’s face, make their day a little easier, or a child’s smile a little brighter – then that’s what we are going to do.”

She hinted that her family is already cooking up some more plans for this year.