LIHU‘E — Leona Sa McDermott of the Special Olympics Kaua‘i program was graciously reserved Monday when she announced the results of the Cop on Top fundraising effort that resumed following a three-year absence because of the pandemic shutdown.
“Our Cop on Top fundraiser over the weekend was a huge success,” Sa McDermott announced. “We surpassed our goal of $25,000, and raised nearly $30,000 for our Kaua‘i athletes.”
The Cop on Top fundraiser started Thursday morning, when three Kaua‘i Police Department officers — Jonathan Anderson and Justin Numazu, and Sgt. Matthew Tavares — were raised to the rooftop of the Walmart store through the special use of a Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative boom truck.
The officers’ goal was to remain atop the roof — yes, they survived the overnight Thursday night squalls and downpours — until the $25,000 goal was met, or until Saturday afternoon.
“A huge thank you to our officers on the roof who had to endure some major downpours overnight and continued to keep their spirits up through it all,” Sa McDermott said. “Officers Johnathan Anderson and Justin Numazu, thank you. We also want to recognize and express out heartwarming thanks to Walmart Store Manager Diane Keeler, the Kaua‘i Police Department Police Chief Todd Raybuck, Sgt. Matthew Tavares, and Capt. Mark Ozaki.”
Sa McDermott said the Special Olympics, Kaua‘i program wants to recognize and thank the many patrons who made their way to Walmart over the weekend and contributed to the program through the sale of the numerous Special Olympics gear that were available, or dropping their loose change into the nets being manned by Special Olympics athletes, their coaches, and retired educators from the Hawai‘i State Teachers Association.
“Mahalo to our sponsors, KIUC, Kaiwa Construction, Kukui‘ula Develoment, and Aloha Leige Waffles and Espresso for their Power breakfast,” Sa McDermott said.
Special Olympics Kaua‘i athletes will be back in action, Sept. 24 starting at 8 a.m. for the Special Olympics area bowling competition at the Kaua‘i Bowl.
Over the past 40 years, Special Olympics has grown from a modest program serving local athletes to become the world’s largest movement dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion, and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities through sports.
“We are a movement through which the power of sport transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and also unites everyone by fostering community-building and civil society,” Sa McDermott said. “To enroll an athlete, and to contribute to Special Olympics Kaua‘i, please contact our Area Director Jocelyn Barriga at 808-652-8662.”
Source: The Garden Island
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