Special Olympics Hawaiʻi Celebrate 35 Years of Tip A Cop with Newly Rebranded Tip A Hero Event

In celebration of its 35th year, Special Olympics Hawaiʻi’s Tip A Cop fundraiser is entering a new chapter as Tip A Hero — a rebranded event that brings together more first responder agencies, restaurant partners and community supporters while continuing its mission of supporting Special Olympics Hawaiʻi. The event takes place Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 9, at six California Pizza Kitchen locations, three Goma Tei locations, two Olive Garden locations, one Maui Brewing Company location, and The Counter on O‘ahu.

During Tip A Hero, first responders around the island serve guests at participating restaurants by delivering meals and busing tables to raise awareness and resources for Special Olympics Hawaiʻi athletes and programs. The event will take place during the following dates and times:

California Pizza Kitchen – Ala Moana Center, Ka Makana Aliʻi, Kahala Mall, Kailua Town, Town Center of Mililani and Pearlridge Center

● Friday, August 7: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Saturday, August 8: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Sunday, August 9: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Goma Tei – Ala Moana Center, Kahala Mall and Pearlridge Center

● Friday, August 7: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Saturday, August 8: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Sunday, August 9: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Kahala Mall and Pearlridge
Center — 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)

Maui Brewing Company – Kailua Town

● Friday, August 7: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Dinner only)
● Saturday, August 8: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Dinner only)
● Sunday, August 9: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Dinner only)

Olive Garden – Ala Moana Center and Ka Makana Aliʻi

● Friday, August 7: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Saturday, August 8: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Sunday, August 9: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

The Counter – Kahala Mall

● Friday, August 7: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Saturday, August 8: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Sunday, August 9: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

“We are excited to introduce Tip A Hero, a new name and expanded vision for an event that has brought our community together for 35 years,” said Tracey Bender, Director of Development for Special Olympics Hawaiʻi. “While the name has changed, the heart of the event remains the same — bringing our community together to support Special Olympics Hawaiʻi athletes. We are deeply grateful to the off-duty, volunteer first responders who not only make this event possible but who bravely serve our community every day. We invite everyone to join us for a great meal while making a meaningful impact for our athletes.”

Since its inception, Tip A Hero has raised $603,518 for Special Olympics Hawaiʻi. Proceeds from this fundraiser will help Special Olympics Hawaiʻi continue to provide year-round sports training and competition and health, wellness and leadership programs for more than 3,000 athletes statewide with intellectual disabilities, free of charge. Since 1968 Special Olympics has been changing attitudes about the talents of people with intellectual disabilities and raising awareness to build an inclusive and unified community.

For more information on Tip A Hero, please visit www.sohawaii.org. Follow Special Olympics Hawaiʻi on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsHawaii.

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The 40th Annual First Hawaiian Bank Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run Ignites Hope of Thousands of Local Athletes Statewide

The Flame of Hope is burning brighter than ever as Special Olympics Hawaii and First Hawaiian Bank celebrate the 40th Annual Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run on Saturday, June 6 at Fort DeRussy’s Kuroda Field.

More than just a run, this year-round movement brings together over 2,500 law enforcement personnel statewide to raise awareness and funds for more than 3,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities. It all leads to the emotional Final Leg at the State Summer Games, where the torch is carried into Opening Ceremonies at UH Mānoa.

Named in honor of Honolulu Police Officer Troy Barboza, who coached Special Olympics athletes and was tragically killed in the line of duty, the event remains the only Torch Run in the world named after a fallen officer. His legacy lives on through this run — and through the thousands who proudly wear the commemorative Torch Run shirt each year to show their support.

Supporters can make a donation at bit.ly/2025torchrun to receive the 40th Anniversary Commemorative Torch Run shirt, with proceeds helping provide year-round sports and support programs at no cost to local athletes and their families.

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Participate in Special Olympics Hawaii’s First-Ever, Virtual Cheer for Champions Fundraiser

For the first time in its 10-year history, Special Olympics Hawaii’s annual Cheer for Champions event moves online and will take place over a three-day period. The event is open to the public and will begin on June 17 and end on June 19 with a special, live broadcast, online auction, and more. To learn more about this year’s Cheer for Champions event or to make a donation, please visit: www.sohawaii.org.   

The virtual Cheer for Champions event is open to the public for those who want to watch the live broadcast, participate in the online auction and donate to Special Olympics Hawaii.

Proceeds from this event will help us continue to provide virtual and online programs during the pandemic and help to ensure over 3,400 children and adults with intellectual disabilities can return back to the sports fields and experience the joy, friendships and feeling of achievement that Special Olympics Hawaii brings into their lives. 

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11th Annual Fueling Dreams Drives Support for Special Olympics Hawai`i

Photo credit: Special Olympics Hawaii

The next time you fill up your tank, you can help fulfill the dreams of local athletes with intellectual disabilities. From June 1 through July 5, 2016, take a quick drive over to any participating Tesoro or 76 station statewide and make a donation to Special Olympics Hawai`i. Proceeds will provide opportunities for local athletes to compete and train here in the islands free of charge.

During the month-long event the more you give the more you’ll get.  Those who donate $5 will receive one entry; those who donate $20 will receive five entries for a random drawing to win one of three $500 gift cards. The winner may choose from either a $500 76 gift card or VISA/American Express gift card. A donation is not required to enter the drawing. For a free entry blank, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Special Olympics Hawai‘i, P.O. Box 3295, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96801.

“In the more than 25 years that Hawai`i Independent Energy has partnered with Special Olympics Hawai’i, we’re proud to have raised over $881,000 to support their important work,” said Eric Lee, Par Hawai’i’s Vice President – Branded Retail. “These athletes, their families, friends and coaches are all members of our extended Par Hawai’i ‘ohana and it brings us great joy to be able to help further their goals and dreams through our ‘Fueling Dreams’ event.”

This year, 25 Tesoro and 14 76-branded stations throughout O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island and Maui will be accepting donations for Special Olympics Hawai‘i.

“Par Hawai`i has been one of our longest supporters and we are thrilled to have our signature Fueling Dreams event return for another year,” said Nancy Bottelo, Special Olympics Hawai`i president and CEO. “The funds that Par Hawai’i raises play a critical role in our efforts to level the playing field and fuel the dreams of athletes with intellectual disabilities.”

For more information on Special Olympics Hawai‘i, please call 808-943-8808 or visit www.specialolympicshawaii.org. Special Olympics Hawai‘i is also on Twitter, www.twitter.com/sohawaii, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsHawaii and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/SOHawaii.

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