(Photo credit: Special Olympics Hawaii)
By Staff Reports
(Honolulu) – It’s a race to the top for local law enforcement. This year’s 16th Annual Cop on Top fundraiser brings together volunteer, off-duty law enforcement officers from across the state, Thursday, August 17 to Saturday, August 19. Officers will stay atop 10-foot scaffolds, where they will stay and share the mission of Special Olympics until they reach their fundraising goal.
The annual fundraiser will take place at Walmart stores statewide (with the exception of Downtown Honolulu) and all Sam’s Club stores on Oahu. Additional locations include shopping centers around O’ahu including two new locations – Manoa Marketplace and Laulani Village Shopping Center – as well as Salt Lake Shopping Center, Kāne‘ohe Bay Shopping Center, Hawai’i Kai Shopping Center and Enchanted Lake Shopping Center.
“Walmart and our more than 4,000 associates in Hawaii are proud to be part of the annual Cop on Top fundraiser alongside local law enforcement officers,” said Lance McAlister, Walmart’s Hawai’i Market Manager. “It’s our seventh year supporting this great event that brings together law enforcement and our community to celebrate Hawai’i’s Special Olympics athletes.”
Photo credit: Special Olympics Hawaii
Proceeds raised from Cop on Top go directly to Special Olympics Hawai’i and their work providing more than 45 sporting competitions year-round. The average cost to serve one athlete is approximately $650 a year.
“Every year I look forward to spending time with the athletes and volunteers of Special Olympics at Cop on Top,” said Honolulu Police Department Traffic Division Officer, Ty Ah Nee. “The event is a fun, creative and engaging way to recognize individuals with intellectual disabilities, while raising the funds that are necessary to help support them in their quest for gold.”
Since 2001 Cop on Top has raised more than $2,929,000 for Special Olympics Hawai’i. For more information on Special Olympics Hawai‘i, please call 808-943-8808 or visit www.specialolympicshawaii.org. Special Olympics Hawai‘i is also on Twitter, www.twitter.com/sohawaii, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsHawaii and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/SOHawaii.
Photo credit: Special Olympics Hawaii
About Special Olympics Hawai‘i
Special Olympics unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports every day in Hawai‘i. Through work in sports, health education and community building, Special Olympics is addressing inactivity, injustice, intolerance and social isolation by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities which leads to a more welcoming and inclusive society.
Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics Hawai‘i has grown from a handful of athletes to more than 5,000 participants across the state. With the support of more than 9,600 coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics is able to deliver 10 Olympic-type sports and more than 45 competitions throughout the year. There is never a fee for any athlete or family to participate in Special Olympics programs. For more information on Special Olympics Hawai’i, please visit www.sohawaii.org.