Cop on Top Fundraiser Brings in Nearly $45K

Hawai‘i Police Department’s Cop on Top fundraiser collected nearly $45,000 for the Special Olympics Hawai‘i.

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HPD held its 19th annual fundraiser at Hilo and Kona Walmart stores from Aug. 25 to 27. The fundraiser featured off-duty officers atop a 15-foot scaffolding outside the stores while donations were collected by volunteers and Special Olympic athletes.

Both locations had a fundraising goal of $15,000. East Hawai‘i collected $23,000 and West Hawai‘i pulled in a total of $21,000.

“We are truly humbled by our community’s support, which will directly benefit Special Olympics Hawai‘i and their efforts to provide year-round sports programs for athletes, including opportunities to participate in regional and national competitions,” HPD stated in a press release Monday.

Donations collected from Cop on Top directly benefit Special Olympics Hawai‘i and its efforts to provide year-round sports, health and wellness programs for athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities, including opportunities to participate in regional and national competitions.

“East Hawai‘i Special Olympics really appreciates all of the support from our community for our recent Cop on Top event!,” Heather Dansdill, East Hawai‘i Special Olympics area director, told Big Island Now via text. “With the help of our community members, Hawai‘i Police Department, Walmart, Ola Brew, Ina Signs and Café 100, along with our athletes and Special Olympics coaches and volunteers, we raised over $23,000 this year! Thank you everyone!”

Tip A cop, the next event for Special Olympics Hawai‘i, is coming to Hilo this fall.

“Thank you for supporting our programs so our athletes can participate without fees,” Dansdill said.

For more information, visit http://sohawaii.org/. For more information about East Hawai‘i Special Olympics, email Dansdill at easthawaiiad@gmail.com.