LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Police Department sergeant Matthew Tavares is “da ga-rroot,” said Lisa Aki of the Special Olympics, Kaua‘i, while checking in and coordinating volunteers at the special Cop on Top fundraising event at the Walmart store.
“That means he does with the other officers need done, like getting their meals and stuff,” Aki said. “The other two officers, Jonathan Anderson and Delhart “Justin” Numazu, are committed to this event through at least Saturday afternoon.”
Three of KPD’s Blue were hoisted onto the rooftop by a special lift truck from Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative to launch the Cop on Top fundraising campaign where the officers are committed to remain atop the Walmart roof until they raise $25,000, or at least until Saturday afternoon.
“All the money raised here stays here to help with the Special Olympics program on Kaua‘i,” said Leona Sa McDermott, a Special Olympics coach. “We’ve always had a goal of $25,000.”
As the three KPD officers made their way up to the roof in the KIUC bucket lift, the fundraising tent sprouted with the help of Hawai‘i State Teachers Association Retired educators.
“The HSTA Retired have done this for a long time,” Aki said. “All I know is that when I came into the program 16 years ago, they were already doing this. This year marks the 20th year the Cop on Top has taken place to raise funds for Special Olympics. The HSTA Retired must’ve been doing this for close to that amount of time.”
Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement using sport, health, education, and leadership programs on a daily basis to end discrimination against, and empower people with intellectual disabilities, states the Special Olympics Hawai‘i website.
The Special Olympics Hawai‘i was founded in 1968, and has grown to serve more than 4,700 athletes and unified partners on every island, including Kaua‘i, in the state. Through the support of more than 11,000 coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 10 Olympic-type sports and more than 50 games and competitions throughout the year.
