Hop Jack’s, “A Neighborhood Gathering Place,” has collected over 100 bikes and scooters for underprivileged kids through the 3rd annual company promotion called “Spikes Bikes,” named after the founder of the promotion, Spike Rosquita, the general manager at the Maple Valley Hop Jack’s.

In 2012 Rosquita decided he’d like to donate bikes to kids who wanted but otherwise would not receive a bike for Christmas.  His first gesture three years ago has grown into a company wide promotion, so far collecting over 120 bikes and scooters during the first three weeks of December 2014.

“As a child growing up in Pacific, Washington, I did not have a bike,” said Rosquita. “When I joined the Hop Jack’s family, the vision that Hop Jack’s owner, Mark Eggen, provided and lived by was very clear—’demonstrate concern.’  My inspiration for Spike’s Bikes came from that foundation.”

He added, “My life had become so much richer and clearer after joining the Hop Jack’s team and I wanted to share with the less fortunate children in my community.”

Rosquita purchased the first “Spike’s bike” and team members at the Maple Valley Hop Jack’s pitched in to buy a second bike.  Soon individual employees were wheeling in more bikes.

“That is when our guests started inquiring how they could participate and if they could bring in bikes or donate money to buy one,” Rosquita said.

“We are thrilled to have collected this many bikes,” said Director of Operations, Jeff Morgan.  “These were collected at our nine restaurants through donations from guests and employees.  Each restaurant will deliver their bikes to local children and organizations,” he added.  “As of Friday Dec. 19, the Maple Valley restaurant, where Rosquita is the General Manager, has collected 31 bikes and 15 bike helmets, our other restaurants have similar counts and these numbers are growing daily.”

This year to date, Hop Jack’s has raised over $31,000 for the Hop Jack’s “Good Neighbor” fund which assists the needy in their restaurants’ local communities.  Hop Jack’s has also raised over $7,700 for Komen Puget Sound during the October month long breast cancer awareness promotion and raised over $5100 for prostate cancer research from November proceeds of the “Mustache Drinks” and Hop Jack’s beers to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

For these listed philanthropic works, Hop Jack’s has won the prestigious National Restaurant Associations 2013 “Good Neighbor” Award.