Police Officers Show Support for Special Olympics

Police officers from Sumner and Algona, plus K-9 units and Police Explorers, volunteered their time at in Bonney Lake for the charity event on Thursday, Sept., 22.

“Tip-A-Cop which is an extension of the law enforcement torch run is an event to support Special Olympics,” said Sumner police officer John Kaylor.

Officers greeted people as the door, talk with them at their tables and pass out balloons and crayons for children.

“We are doing this all in hopes that this Applebee’s and 40 others throughout the state will raise $75,000 to support Special Olympics,” said Kaylor.

This is the first year that Sumner has hosted their own fundraiser, said Kaylor. Participants were inspired to do so after some pitched in to similar department fundraisers in surrounding towns.

Terbinos Gebremariam, a reserve police officer for the Algona Police Department, has been helping out with Tip-A-Cop for many years. He started out as a Police Explorer, a program designed for youth 14-21 who are interested in law enforcement.

“I was a Police Explorer from 17-21 and use to help with Tip A Cop at South Center,” said Gebremariam. “I always had fun doing it and it is for a good cause.”

There was five Police Explorers from Sumner and Algona who came to help with the event.

Amanda Thompson, 15, is a Police Explorer who came to help out. She shadowed one of the Applebee servers. She helped take orders, serve drinks and food.

Thompson attends Auburn Riverside High School and has been a Police Explorer for a year.

“It is fun helping serve people and it feels good to help raise money for the Special Olympics.”