Cops on Top project brings in $6,000
Hartselle police officers raised $6,001 at their Cops on Top fundraiser at Wal-Mart with the help of the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office and other state and municipal law enforcement officials.
That amount combined with the $2,908, that was generated at a 5K and 1-mile fun run on April 17 brought to $8,909 the amount raised for Special Olympics.
More than 35 law enforcement officers participated in the event, which got under way at 7 a.m.
Many of the volunteers pulled duty in shifts on top of Wal-Mart’s roof.
They waved at shoppers and invited them to participate in the fundraiser by making a donation, buying Cops on Top T-shirts or trying their hand at throwing balls at a dunking booth. Rapid response vehicles, including the city’s 110-foot ladder fire truck and a State Troopers’ helicopter, were on display throughout the day.
“It was a big success and we’re thrilled,” Cops on Top coordinator Lt. Linda Fox said.
“Our community demonstrated a lot of love and compassion. Those who made donations included two children who brought all of the change they had in their piggy banks.”
They were not the only ones who made a big sacrifice. Lt. Fox collected a $50 donation on a dare to climb to the top of the city’s ladder fire truck.
Two weeks earlier, the police department collected nearly $3,000 from more than100 runners who participated in a 5K-road race and a 1-mile fun runs/walk.
Fox said more than 50 volunteers helped out at the fundraiser. They included about 15 members of Hartselle’s Police Department. Morgan County sheriff’s deputies, State Troopers and several police officers from Trinity and Falkville. Hartselle Police Academy alumni and U.S. Navy recruiters and recruits also participated.
Sedonna Steakhouse and Pizza Hut provided food for Cops on Top volunteers.
The dunking booth was a popular attraction, especially for kids, as passersby made donations for a chance to unseat local personalities as they sat on the “hot seat” waiting to be dunked.
Among those who got a dunking were Morgan County Sheriff Greg Bartlett, Ana Franklin, one of his challengers in the June 1 Primary Election and Hartselle Mayor Dwight Tankersley.
HPD was one of 17 different law enforcement agencies across the state to host “Cops on Top fundraiser for Special Olympics,” Fox said.
On May 13-14, law enforcement officers from across the state, including six from Hartselle, will participate in the annual Torch Run for Special Olympics.
The run will begin in Decatur and end in Troy. A stop for lunch is planned at Sparkman Civic Center with the meal provided by Sheriff Bartlett.
