Looking Back on 2025 – A Year of Community and Connection

2025 was an incredible year for Hockers Home Services! From community events to nonprofit partnerships, we’ve loved every opportunity to connect with our neighbors and make a positive impact. As we look back, we want to share some of the highlights that made this year so special.

Celebrating Local Traditions Together

Community is at the heart of who we are at Hockers Home Services. They give us a chance to step outside of our day-to-day work and connect with the people who make our community such a special place to live. These gatherings aren’t just fun, they’re an opportunity to build relationships, build knowledge, and show our commitment to being more than a home services provider.

By participating in local events, we get to meet homeowners face-to-face, answer questions, and give back in meaningful ways. Whether it’s a sports event, Beer Gardens, or a holiday celebration, these events allow us to strengthen community ties and create memorable experiences for families.

Here is a recap of some of the amazing events we were proud to be a part of in 2025:

1. Balloon Glow

As a proud Children’s Area sponsor, we were thrilled to be a part of the Lakeshore Balloon Glow, a FREE community event held on August 15, 2025, at the Manitowoc Riverfront. This annual celebration lit up the skies and hearts of families across our community.

✨ Event Highlights

• Family-Focused Entertainment:
  From water-ski shows staged by the Webfooters to aerial dances, bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals, Mischief & Magic acts, and even a visit from the Traveling Snake Guy, there was never a dull moment for kids and families. Our sponsored zone buzzed with joy: craft stations, games, and interaction with Lakeshore FIRST Robotics brought smiles and laughter, just as we’d hoped. These moments captured the spirit of community and play that defined the evening.
  
• Delicious Bites & Festive Atmosphere:
  Over a dozen food trucks lined both sides of the river, serving up a delicious selection—plus corn on the cob from the Lions Club and refreshing beverages for all ages. The evening ended with a fireworks display along the riverfront at 8:30 p.m., making for a magical send-off to this cherished event.
  
• Why We Participated:
  The Balloon Glow is more than just a beautiful display, it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and connection. We chose to participate because events like this bring families together and create memorable experiences right here in Northeast Wisconsin. For us, it’s an opportunity to engage with homeowners in a fun, relaxed setting while showing our support for local traditions.

2. De Pere Beer Gardens

As summer embraced Voyageur Park, the De Pere Beer Gardens returned every Tuesday from June 10 to August 19, offering fun, flavor, and connection – all while supporting our local parks. Proudly hosted by De Pere Parks, Recreation, and Forestry, this free-to-attend series features craft beer, seltzers, live music, food trucks, and family-friendly fames, all while raising funds for park improvements throughout the season.

✨ Event Highlights

• Eats, Drinks, & Games:
  A rotating roster of food and dessert trucks – like Captain Quesadilla, Maldonado’s, J Dogz, and TJ’s Popcorn & More – kept attendees fed all night long. You could sip a craft brew during yard games at the Nelson Pavillion, soaking in the summer.
• Community Feedback:
  Local event calendars and family-friendly focused outlets described the Beer Gardens as a “popular community event” and emphasized its appeal to all ages – highlighting the live music, craft beverages, food, and games that create an unbeatable riverfront atmosphere.
• Why We Sponsored:
  As sponsors, we loved seeing our community unwind in a relaxed, inclusive setting. These evenings strengthened connections between neighbors, supported local parks, and showcased our commitment to quality family-focused engagement.

3. Making Strides of Northeast Wisconsin

On a crisp Saturday morning on October 4th, 2025, hundreds gathered at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, part of the American Cancer Society’s nationwide movement to raise awareness, honor survivors, and fund important research.

✨ Event Highlights

• Walk & Fundraising Success:
  The day began with an opening ceremony where survivors, caregivers, families, and local supporters came together in solidarity. Participants completed a 3-5 mile route through campus paths at Aurora BayCare. The event raised over $43,900, supporting services like free rides to chemo appointments, lodging for patients, and a 24/7 helpline.
• Survivor Centered Experience:
  A dedicated Survivor Area provides a welcoming, celebratory space for survivors and their caregivers. The walk highlighted personal stories of courage, unity, and hope.
• Why We Joined:
  Supporting Making Strides aligns with our mission to foster meaningful, community-focused engagement. As contributors, we celebrated survivors, honored families, and highlighted the importance of early detection and patient support. Watching connections grow and hope shine reaffirmed why this cause is so impactful.

4. De Pere Holly Day

The festive spirit was alive in Downtown De Pere on Saturday, December 6th, 2025, during the beloved Holly Day, presented by North Shore Bank. Families and neighbors gathered from 1-5pm to enjoy a winter wonderland of holiday activities throughout Broadway and Michael J. Walsh Plaza.

✨ Event Highlights

• Festive Lineup & Community Activities:
  • Horse-and-Carriage Rides: Attendees took charming rides through the historic streets, creating picture-perfect holiday moments.
  • Find Frosty Scavenger Hunt: Kids embarked on a festive scavenger hunt in Downtown, searching for hidden Frosty surprises – a fun highlight for the little ones.
  • Bonfire & S’mores: A cozy bonfire kept families warm, and s’mores added a sweet nostalgic treat to the afternoon.
  • Letter to Santa: With the North Pole mailbox at Starry Realty, kids penned their holiday wishes and dropped them off for Santa.
• Holiday Shopping & Seasonal Delights:
  Downtown businesses decorated their storefronts, and local shops like Blue Door Artworks, Delights Bakery and Café, and the Flour Pot offered crafts, hot cocoa bars, cookie decorating kits, and unique holiday treats. Brehmer Law treated visitors with milk and cookies while hosting a “Giving Tree” initiative to support local nonprofits. Mulva Cultural Center provided free hot chocolate and crafts, creating a warm atmosphere.
• Why We Sponsored:
  Sponsoring Holly Day aligns with our community-first values: supporting inclusive, family-friendly events that inspire connection, joy, and local pride. By engaging directly with kids – whether they were writing letters, roasting marshmallows, or hopping on carriage rides – we helped foster priceless holiday memories. Seeing families engage with local businesses and enjoy downtown’s festive charm reaffirms why community engagement remains at the heart of what we do.

Giving Back Where It Counts

Community is at the heart of everything we do, and 2025 was a year filled with opportunities to give back in meaningful ways. We’re proud to have supported some incredible organization that make a real difference in Northeast Wisconsin.

Hands of 10ve

Hands of 10ve is a local nonprofit dedicated to spreading kindness and providing support to individuals and families facing hardships. Their mission is rooted in the belief that small acts of love can create big change. Through initiatives like their annual Charity Softball Game, they raise funds to help families in need, provide essential resources, and foster a sense of community. By participating in this event, we were able to contribute to their efforts in creating a network of care and compassion for those who need it most.

American Cancer Society – Making Strides of NE Wisconsin

The American Cancer Society is a nationwide organization committed to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Their Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events unite communities to honor survivors, remember loved ones, and raise funds for groundbreaking research and patient support programs. The Northeast Wisconsin walk is a powerful local movement that helps fund education, early detection, and treatment initiatives. Our involvement in this event allowed us to stand alongside survivors and advocates, supporting a cause that brings hope and progress in the fight against cancer.

Celebrating Growth and Achievements

This year wasn’t just about community, it was about growth and progress within Hockers Home Services. From expanding our team to reaching new milestones online, every achievement reflects our dedication to serving homeowners better.

Here are some of the highlights we’re proud of from 2025:

1. Growing Our Electrical Team

We strengthened our electrical division by adding skilled professionals who bring expertise and passion to every project. This growth allows us to offer even more comprehensive home services, ensuring homeowners have a trusted partner for all their electrical needs.

2. Social Media Growth

Our online presence reached new heights in 2025! Through engaging content, community stories, and helpful tips, we connected with more homeowners than ever before. This growth not only helps us share valuable information but also keeps us connected with the communities we serve.

3. Welcoming New Team Members

We were thrilled to welcome several new hires from across multiple departments, each bringing fresh ideas and energy to our team. Their contributions have helped us improve service quality and strengthen our commitment to excellence.

Excited for What’s Next

Thank you for being a part of our journey in 2025! Every milestone we’ve reached and every connection we’ve made is because of the incredible community we serve. We’re proud to call De Pere home and can’t wait to see what 2026 brings.

From new partnerships to exciting events, there’s so much ahead, and we’d love for you to join us along the way. Follow us on social media to stay connected, see what we’re up to, and get the latest updates on how we’re continuing to serve homeowners and give back to our community.

Here’s to another year of growth, connection, and making a difference — together!