LIHUE — Three of Kauai’s law enforcement officers will be spending part of their weekend on the rooftop of the Walmart store in Lihue.
The officers will be raised to the rooftop of Walmart on Thursday and spend their time raising funds for Special Olympics athletes during the 17th annual Cop on Top campaign. The officers and a group of Kauai Special Olympics volunteers and athletes will be collecting funds to benefit the Kauai Special Olympics program.
“We are excited to return as a site sponsor for Cop on Top, and support the incredible efforts of our local law enforcement to raise awareness for athletes with intellectual disabilities,” said Lance McAlister, Walmart Hawaii market manager. “One of our core values at Walmart is giving back to the community and local groups that give so much to us. We couldn’t be more excited to support this year’s event.”
Law enforcement officers on Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island conducted their respective programs during the Admission Day weekend.
“We were going to schedule it for the weekend of Aug. 16 through 18 with the rest of the state,” said Jocelyn Barriga, Kauai Special Olympics coordinator. “But that was the same weekend as the Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair. We will be doing our Cop on Top, Thursday through Saturday.”
Donations collected during Cop on Top will directly benefit Special Olympics and its efforts to provide sports, health and wellness, and leadership programs for athletes year-round. This includes opportunities for athletes to participate in regional and national competitions. Special Olympics Hawaii provides programs for all athletes free of charge.
Since 2001, the Cop on Top program has raised more than $3 million for Special Olympics Hawaii athletes statewide.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Special Olympics Hawaii has grown to serve more than 4,700 athletes and Unified partners on every island. Through the support of more than 11,000 coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 10 Olympic-style sports and more than 50 games and competitions throughout the year.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
