TOPEKA (KSNT) – AJ Hopper is the first recipient of Topeka’s Best this year.
Topeka’s Best is about honoring those in our community that go above and beyond for others.
AJ Hopper is a Topeka native who founded Hop 2 It Concrete and Remodeling in 2020. He works with other local businesses to quite literally build a better Topeka.
“My mother’s side of the family is based out of Topeka, Kansas, here,” Hopper said. “And I grew up going to the Boys and Girls Club And just growing up in that Boys and Girls Club system, it just taught me a lot. It was just it was community based. we got grounded and got so much love there and just it was able to help us identify who where we were common and who we were going to be.”
‘Who doesn’t love ice cream?’: New homemade ice cream shop opens in west Topeka
Hopper said that watching his son is where the idea sparked to go above and beyond for others.
“To be honest with you, it really started with I’ve got a son, Keyante, and you know, he will go out and kind of rake leaves for elderly and do different things for elderly,” Hopper said. “And I just was watching him and like I’d say, you can learn from anybody. So I kind of piggybacked off him.”
Now, Hopper does his own acts of service for others while juggling his business. 27 News asked him about some of the ways he helps out in his community.
“For the winter season, we were doing freestyle removal for every church in Topeka. It didn’t matter if you called me,” Hopper said.
And it doesn’t stop there.
“I also got to speak sometimes for the Curtis Pitts does a great job of getting me out, you know, to speak to the community and children,” Hopper said. “And also I was actually at the Boys and Girls Club is where I was rooted at.”
Veteran Salute: Topeka Air Force veteran among first women to wear combat gear overseas
Hopper went on to tell 27 News why it’s so important for him to give back.
“I hit some lows in life and I know a lot of people hit lows in life,” Hopper said. “And just is so important to me because a lot of people that I try to focus on is basically the homeless. You know, you’ll never hear many complaints about that because, you know, people are really in need. And then I always go, you know, 100% for the children and the community.”
As someone who grew up in the community, he wants to see Topeka thrive.
“I think that, especially in Topeka, I mean, here we definitely got to support each other,” Hopper said. “We’re smaller town, you know, Washburn is doing a heck of a job with developing there. And I just like the different city programs that we have here. I think it’s very important that small businesses support each other. A community that doesn’t stand and support each other is definitely going to have some weaknesses.”
For Hopper, it’s about building a stronger community. And he isn’t done yet.
“This summer we’re having a special here for senior citizens, of course, single mothers, you know, anybody struggling,” Hopper said. “We make those parties kind of benefit and work for you this summer here.”
Topeka’s Best, sponsored by Noller Auto Group, Ford and Hyundai, is about honoring those in our community that go above and beyond for others. You can nominate people for Topeka’s Best by clicking here.
Fighting gym moves to new location in Topeka
For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
