A law enforcement officer bellowing commands over a loudspeaker is not a sound most people want to hear. ADVERTISING A law enforcement officer bellowing commands over a loudspeaker is not a sound most people want to hear. It was welcome
A law enforcement officer bellowing commands over a loudspeaker is not a sound most people want to hear.
It was welcome on Thursday as the Cop on Top fundraiser for Special Olympics began islandwide.
“Special Olympics is founded on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy and benefit from participation in individual and team sports,” the state organization says on its website.
Hawaii police officers climbed on top of 14-foot-high scaffolds by the front doors of Hilo and Kailua-Kona Walmart stores, calling out to the crowd as athletes and volunteers collected donations.
The event in Kona started off quietly while there was a rattle and clicking on the scaffolding. Then the speakers kicked into life, carrying the message across the parking lot.
From there, an officer encouraged donations to the program and called out encouragement to people visiting.
The collecting operation was primarily done by the athletes, supported by police officers and family members. The teams relied on umbrellas to cut down the discomfort from temperatures that hovered near 90 degrees.
One pair was powerlifter and bowler Brandon LaCuesta and his hanai father, David Cobb.
Some families leaving from the store split up money to have their keiki donate to all athletes present.
LaCuesta smiled and thanked the people who made donations, and talked with a man who volunteered at an earlier event.
The money raised helps LaCuesta and other athletes with uniforms, equipment, coaching, training, transportation and other expenses.
All the officers involved were coming on their off-time. Officer William Kafe Vickery has been involved for years, saying he devoted the time because of the importance of the organization.
One of his early tasks was organizing the arrangement of supplies and situating people.
Many of the officers involved Thursday were members of the community policing unit.
Officer Kuilee Dela Cruz said working with the community and building relationships is a critical part of that mission. Dela Cruz said that for the organization, the success of the athletes is a big component.
All the West Hawaii officers participating mentioned Isaiah Wong, a powerlifter from Kailua-Kona, who earned two gold and two silver medals in the recent World Games in Los Angeles.
Cops on Top ended Saturday, and the officers were committed to remaining on the platform until they raised at least $15,000.
“The average cost to serve one athlete is approximately $756 a year,” the state organization said.
Email Graham Milldrum at gmilldrum@westhawaiitoday.com.
