Police again asking community to fill bucketloads of support, funds for Special Olympics Hawai‘i
Hawai‘i Police Department once again staff roosts on both sides of the Big Island, asking the community to help some very special athletes with bucketloads of support.
Badges and Buckets — formerly Cops on Top — throughout its 23 years has become largest annual grassroots fundraiser for Hawai‘i Special Olympics athletes and the organization itself.
The 3-day event features law enforcement officers spending their off-duty time perched atop a 10-foot scaffolding at Hilo and Kona Walmart stores to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Hawai‘i within the community.
Badges and Buckets this year is set for the following dates and times:
Walmart Kona
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 11-12.
- 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 13.
Walmart Hilo
- 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 17-19.
Donations collected benefit Special Olympics Hawai‘i and its efforts to provide year-round sports programs for athletes, including opportunities to participate in regional and national competitions.
Hawai‘i Police Department’s officers raised more than $250,000 through the years to help children and adults with intellectual disabilities through the Special Olympics organization. A large part of the nonprofit’s annual budget is raised through Badges and Buckets alone.
There will be numerous great incentives this year through donations made by many local sponsors. Special Olympics Hawai‘i will also give away visors, caps and T-shirts to those who donate.
Contact Officer Michael Abran at 808-887-3080 or via email at Michael.abran@hawaiipolice.gov in West Hawai‘i and Officer Kaipo Aurello at 808-961-3381 or via email at kaipokoka.aurello@hawaiipolice.gov in East Hawai‘i for additional information about Badges and Buckets in Kailua-Kona and Hilo, respectively.
