Special Olympics Kaua‘i’s first annual Cop on Top fund-raiser, with a goal of raising $10,000 for the local organization, went way over the top. Kaua‘i Police Department Sergeants Hank Barriga and Ezra Kanoho were lifted onto the roof of Safeway
Special Olympics Kaua‘i’s first annual Cop on Top fund-raiser, with a goal of raising $10,000 for the local organization, went way over the top.
Kaua‘i Police Department Sergeants Hank Barriga and Ezra Kanoho were lifted onto the roof of Safeway at Kaua‘i Village shopping center in Waipouli by Dennis Cortez of Oceanic Time Warner Cable in a lift truck, and remained committed to staying “on Top” until they raised at least $10,000.
Many fellow KPD officers came out to support Barriga and Kanoho by making contributions and joining them on the roof. Other KPD officers including Sgts. Wes Kaui, Joe Adric and Lt. Miles Tanabe, provided free entertainment for everyone.
Halau Ka Lei Mokihana and Troy Wai’ale’ale also performed, as did Aloha Breeze.
Along the way, donors to Special Olympics Kaua‘i were entered into drawings. Winners of Safeway $50 gift certificates, courtesy of Kaua‘i Village, included Sandy Duvauchelle, Gladys Padre, Steve Wolshin, Nicole Wai‘ale‘ale, Loida Levinthol, Jim Knapp, Virginia Fajardo, Kylie Moniz, Evelyn Branco, and Nanette Dettloff.
Judy DesHarnais was selected in the Safeway receipt drawing, with officials from Special Olympics Kaua‘i reimbursing her for the amount spent on the Safeway receipt she entered.
Richard Koerte won dinner for two in the Bali Hai Restaurant at Hanalei Bay Resort, valued at $100, and Lydia Osakoda won a $20 gift certificate from Panda Garden Chinese Restaurant at Kaua‘i Village.
“On behalf of the athletes and volunteers of Special Olympics Kaua‘i, I would like to thank everyone who made a contribution toward Cop on Top,” said Jocelyn Freitas, Special Olympics Kaua‘i area director.
“Also, a special thank you to KPD Sergeants Hank Barriga and Ezra Kanoho for volunteering to raise the necessary funds,” she said.
“The funds raised go toward providing year-round sports training and numerous tournaments for Kaua‘i’s Special Olympics athletes, as well as air transportation to O‘ahu for statewide tournaments throughout the year.
With the number of Special Olympics athletes and the cost of airfare constantly increasing, it is imperative that we raise a minimum of $60,000 each year to continuously provide these valuable programs for our athletes,” Freitas continued.
Cop on Top and Kaua‘i Special Olympics supporters include Charles Martin of Safeway, Judy Gray of Kaua‘i Village, KPD officers, and the Special Olympics Kaua‘i management team, athletes, coaches, families and friends.
Officials at T-Mobile donated two T-Mobile cell phones for Cop on Top, Martin donated $300 in food and refreshments, and Gray gave approval for Kaua‘i Village to host the event and donated $500 in Safeway gift certificates.
Jim at Kauai Springs donated water and dispenser units for the rooftop and volunteers below, and Marlene Matutino and Dennis Cortez at Oceanic Time Warner Cable donated use of the boom truck.
Ray Blouin of Hanalei Bay Resort donated a $100 gift certificate from Bali Hai Restaurant, and leaders at Panda Garden Chinese Restaurant donated $20 gift certificates. Officials at the Kauai Coconut Beach Resort donated two room nights, leaders at Gaspro donated helium for balloons, and owners of Cold Stone Creamery donated smoothies for the Cops on Top.
Meadow Gold leaders donated juice and ice cream, and Coffee Café officials donated coffee.
Aloha Breeze includes Jon Rivera, Jerry Jona, Darren Kiyotsuka, Frank Cruz, Brad Nelmida and Josh Walters, and the KPD and Friends entertainers included Kaui, Adric, Tanabe, Willie Espiritu, Gary Adric and Bill Workman.
Special Olympics’ mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympictype sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
