Volunteer Law Enforcement Rise to the Occasion For Special Olympics Hawaii’s Badges and Buckets Fundraiser

The organization’s annual statewide fundraiser now goes by “Badges and Buckets” (formerly Cop on Top) and invites supporters to make a donation at participating locations around the state.

Volunteer, off-duty law enforcement officers will take their duties to new heights for Special Olympics Hawaii’s Badges and Buckets fundraiser. The event will take place September 7-9, on Kauai and Molokai, September 8-10, on Oahu, October 5-7, in Hilo, November 8-10, on Maui and November 10-12, in Kailua-Kona. There will also be a Waikiki Beach “pop up” location on Saturday, September 9. During the event volunteer officers will take community service to another level while perched on 10-foot scaffolds and rooftops at locations across the state. On the ground volunteers will collect donations and keep the excitement going for shoppers and supporters.

“Our Badges and Buckets fundraiser provides grassroots support to our programs which promote inclusion and provides sports training, competition, health, wellness, and leadership opportunities for individuals of all ages with intellectual disabilities,” said Special Olympics Hawaii’s President and CEO, Dan Epstein. “We are truly grateful for the dedication of all of our off-duty law enforcement volunteers and for the generosity of our community.”

Confirmed Badges and Buckets locations on Oahu (September 8-10) include:

• Enchanted Lake Shopping Center
• Hawaii Kai Shopping Center
• Kaneohe Bay Shopping Center
• Laulani Village Shopping Center
• Manoa Marketplace
• Salt Lake Shopping Center
• Sam’s Club Keeaumoku
• Waimalu Plaza
• Walmart Kapolei
• Walmart Keeaumoku
• Walmart Kunia
• Walmart Mililani
• Walmart Pearl City

Confirmed Badges and Buckets dates and locations on neighbor islands include:

• Kauai: Walmart Lihue | September 7-9
• Molokai: Molokai Public Library | September 7-9
• Hawaii Island:
  • Walmart Hilo | October 5-7
  • Walmart Kailua-Kona | November 10-12
• Maui: Walmart Kahului | November 8-10

“Special Olympics Hawaii has a special place in the hearts of our officers and we look forward to this event each year as an opportunity to go out into the community and share how exceptional these athletes and programs are,” said State Law Enforcement Torch Run Director, Ryan Nishibun.

Donations collected from Badges and Buckets directly benefit Special Olympics Hawaii and its work to provide sports, health and wellness, leadership, and inclusionary programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round. Since 2001, the fundraiser has raised more than $4,093,333 for Special Olympics Hawaii athletes statewide.

For more information on Special Olympics Hawaii, please visit sohawaii.org. Special Olympics Hawaii is also on Twitter at twitter.com/sohawaii, on Facebook at facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsHawaii, and on Instagram at instagram.com/sohawaii.