Seeing that bike under the Christmas tree is a magical moment for a child, and thanks to one Tampa man, more children will have that experience this year.
Alex Cooks is a big guy, but he was once a child who wanted a bike.
“I was one of 10 growing up and there was no new bikes for me,” said Cooks.
But he makes sure other kids have one.
“This is 15 years, we are over 20,000 bikes,” said Cooks. “I don’t want any other kids to go through what I had to go through.”
One by one, trucks pulled in the lot Wednesday.
Alex and his crew loaded 500 brand new bikes that will go to 500 underprivileged Hillsborough County students this Christmas.
“They’re going to wake up they’re going to have a big smile on their face and that puts a big smile on my face,” said Cooks.
Every donation comes from the people who eat at Alex’s restaurant, Alex's Southern Style BBQ, and put money in a jar on the counter.
“There’s more good than bad,” said Cooks.
There is more good than bad because of people like Alex as he continues to make Christmas merry for boys and girls, one bike at a time.
If you want to help Alex and his cause you can call him at (813) 340-6587 or reach him by email at alexsbbq@verizon.net.