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.
About Special Olympics Hawaii
Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the
transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world. Through
programming in sports, health, education and community building, Special Olympics is
changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities solving the global injustice,
isolation, intolerance, and inactivity they face.
Founded in 1968, Special Olympics Hawaii has grown and now serves over 6,000 athletes
and Unified partners across the State of Hawaii. Through the unwavering commitment of
10,000 volunteers, along with community supporters, corporate partners and foundations,
Special Olympics Hawaii delivers 10 Olympic-type sports and over 50 competitions,
hundreds of health screenings, and inclusive programming in more than 70 schools
annually.
There is never a fee to any athlete or family to participate in Special Olympics programs.
Engage with us on: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Learn more at www.sohawaii.org.
Photos courtesy of Special Olympics Hawaii
