West Hawaii Today reporter and universal desk person Kim Eaton wrote an awesome article, published Friday, Sept. 19, 2008, detailing the happenings at the Cop on Top fundraiser for Special Olympics. In it, readers learn why residents chose to help the nonprofit organization, what that participation means to all involved, what the donations are used for and the best part of the fundraiser.
Here is an excerpt:
Every year in September, Rabara, along with fellow officers Detective Walter Ah Mow, Detective Sean Smith and, joining them this year, Lt. Sam Kawamoto, spend three days eating, sleeping and camping out atop 20 feet of scaffolding in front of Safeway in the Crossroads Center. Their purpose: to raise money for Special Olympics West Hawaii.
With music pumping in the background, the four law enforcement officers shouted out to customers passing by, encouraging them to donate, talking story and having a good time, while Special Olympics volunteers and athletes stood below with buckets collecting those donations, handing out balloons to keiki and providing general information to those interested.
Rabara, Ah Mow, Smith and Kawamoto will remain on the scaffold until 2 p.m. Saturday, vowing they will reach their goal of $15,000.
“I know times are hard right now, but we have a very supportive community,” Ah Mow said. “I think we’ll make (the goal).”
Kawamoto has helped out with Cop on Top since it began in Kona five years ago, but this is the first year he was able to get vacation days so he can stay all night with the other officers.
“It’s a great cause,” he said. “I do it for the athletes, to help out Walter (Ah Mow) and represent the police department. The athletes are great. You should see them when the music starts rocking.”
Also accompanying the article are wonderful photos taken by West Hawaii Today freelance photographer Brad Ballesteros. He captured some great photos of the police officers, donors, volunteers and the SOWH athletes.
To see the images and read the article, click here. Or, visit www.westhawaiitoday.com and search the archives.
