Cop on Top Fundraiser for Special Olympics, Sept. 12-14

Cop on Top. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The 12th Annual Cop on Top fundraiser for Special Olympics kicks off this Thursday, Sept. 12 at the Walmart in Kahului.

During the three-day campaign, local law enforcement officials will ascend to the rooftop to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics in Hawaiʻi.

Officers will not return to the ground until the fundraising goals have been met, or until Saturday, Sept. 14—which ever comes first.

Similar events will be held simultaneously across the state in which off duty officers will camp out atop rooftops and scaffolding as part of the campaign.

Cop on Top Maui 2011, photo by Wendy Osher.

This year Cop on Top events are being held at: Walmart stores statewide, all Sam’s Club stores, Aikahi Shopping Center, Kāneʻohe Bay Shopping Center and the Hawaiʻi Kai Shopping Center.

Special Olympics Hawaiʻi provides year-round sports training opportunities to more than 3,500 athletes from across the state at no cost to athletes or their families, officials said.

According to event organizers, the average cost to provide a single athlete with sports training and competition is approximately $1,044 a year.