MOSES LAKE – Basin Special Olympics teams prep for their annual Cop and Fire on Top fundraiser July 18 starting at 10 a.m. and lasting until 4 p.m. outside of the Moses Lake Walmart. 

“This will be our fourth annual event and it’s a great way for our Special Olympic athletes to raise some money,” said Tim Toon, Special Olympics Washington’s East Region Program Manager. “And also interact with the public and with local law enforcement and fire agencies.” 

The event involves putting fire and law enforcement officers up on a scissor lift and having the athletes engage in water fights with them, said Toon. Members of the public are also invited to come and join in as well whether they are shopping or happen to be in the area. 

“In Eastern Washington’s hot summers, it is refreshing and super fun,” he said.

Donation buckets will be located by the water fight area and at the front doors of Walmart. Toon said that while a monetary donation is great, coming and interacting with the athletes at the event is something that is incredibly valuable to the event. 

Toon said this is the second year that Special Olympics has held the event at Walmart and that they’ve been a great partner in making it happen. Employees from the Moses Lake, Othello and Ephrata Walmart locations will be donating some time out of their day to help out with the event. 

The money raised from the event will be split between the Othello and Moses Lake Special Olympics programs. 

“Come interact with our athletes and have some fun with police and firefighters,” said Toon. 

    Special Olympics athletes and an officer from the Washington State Patrol pose for a photo during last year’s event. Special Olympics Washington’s East Region Program Manager Tim Toon said this event presents a great opportunity for the athletes to interact with both fire and law enforcement officers but also with the community.
  

    Special Olympics athletes face off against members of the fire department as each side sprays the other with water. The event features support from Walmart locations in Moses Lake, Othello and Ephrata.