For Immediate Release
Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015
Contacts: Officer Darren Derby
413-441-7532
Investigator John Bassi
413-464-1851
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
*Media Advisory*
Berkshire County Police Participate In Sixth Annual “Cop on Top” Fundraiser
Officers Raise Money for Special Olympics Massachusetts by Camping Out on Roof of Pittsfield Walmart
PITTSFIELD — While conducting your holiday shopping this weekend, don’t be alarmed when you see a number of police officers standing on the roof of the local Walmart. Police officers and sheriff’s deputies from around the region will be participating in the sixth annual “Cop on Top” fundraiser to benefit the Special Olympics of Massachusetts.
“It may be a little chilly up there on the roof, but law enforcement officers from all over Berkshire County are so excited to stand proud for all the Special Olympics athletes who work so hard every year participating in the sports and activities they love,” said Pittsfield Police Investigator John Bassi. “We hope people will stop by and donate, grab some food and enter to win one of our amazing raffle prizes. We look forward to seeing you this weekend.”
WHAT
Representatives from the Pittsfield Police Department, Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office and other local and state police agencies, will be taking part in an event called “Cop on Top” – a fundraiser for Special Olympics Massachusetts where local officers volunteer their free time during the holiday season to stand on the roof of Walmart. Officers will remain atop the building until they reach their fundraising goal of $55,000.
Residents in the area are asked to support the Special Olympics and their police department by donating. Shoppers will also be treated to food, raffle prizes and giveaways.
“Cop on Top” is one of several fundraising events taken on by law enforcement to raise money for the Special Olympics under the Law Enforcement Torch Run Initiative. Berkshire County Officers have raised more than $400,000 over the last five years for the Special Olympics and the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Torch Run Initiative is the highest grossing fundraising program in Massachusetts.
WHEN
Saturday, Dec. 5, overnight through Sunday, Dec. 6.
The event will kick off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5 with the Pittsfield Fire Department hoisting the first group of officers onto the roof while local Special Olympic athletes light the ceremonial cauldron that will burn throughout the event.
WHERE
Walmart, 555 Hubbard Ave., Pittsfield
About Special Olympics Massachusetts:
Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA) provides year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programming for nearly 12,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities throughout the State. Locally, over 600 athletes take part in Special Olympics programming and are able to do this at no cost. Through the power of sport, our movement transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. It also unites everyone by fostering a sense of community and building a civil society. For more information visit http://www.SpecialOlympicsMA.org
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