State police raise money for Special Olympics
BUTLER TWP — A number of troopers gathered outside the Butler barracks as Special Olympic athletes popped balloons filled with cold water over the heads of their superiors.
After the initial pop, the athletes laughed as some the police then engaged in a water balloon fight.
“The police are funny,” said Kaitlyn Morgan, a basketball athlete from Cranberry Township.
Throughout the month of February, troopers passed around a donation can to raise money for the Special Olympics. The collected funds are then given by a contingent of troopers who participate in Pittsburgh’s Polar Plunge later this month.
Trooper Josh Black, who was himself soaked, said their Polar Pop also raises awareness for the larger campaign, and it shows that there’s more than one way to participate.
“They don’t have to jump into freezing water,” Black said. “They can go online and donate.”
According to the Special Olympics website, people can participate in the Polar Plunge, the Polar Pop or Too Chicken to Plunge for a donation, usually around $50 each.
Black said beyond the obvious donation aspects of the event, it’s also another good way for the troopers to further interact with the athletes. He said troopers will sometimes attend practices and games of the Special Olympians.
“They always invite us to play hockey or basketball with them,” Black said. “It’s fun to get to know them and interact with them.”
According to one of the balloon poppers, Julia Kaluzny of Zelienople, the feeling is mutual.
“I liked seeing the police,” she said. “They were fun and funny and very accepting.”
While involved with the Special Olympics, Kaluzny said she’s not an athlete, but she still enjoys being with the program.
“I don’t like sports, but I like being a diva,” she said.
John Simpson, an athlete from Pittsburgh, said he was apprehensive because he didn’t want to get wet. He ended up popping a balloon that splattered his pants as much as the trooper. He said the water was chilly, but he’s also a hockey player, so it was not too bad.
Simpson said he loves being part of the hockey team. He said his favorite player is Sidney Crosby, and when he’s out on the ice, he feels like Crosby.
“I like that,” he said.
LifeSteps the Next Step’s Erin Simpson, a program specialist, and Becca Heathcote, a teacher’s assistant, attended the event alongside the athletes.
Simpson said the Polar Pop brings even more awareness to the fundraising campaign that helps fund competitions for the Special Olympics.
“They need the funding, and I think it’s great the officers went along with it,” Simpson said.
Heathcote said the officers were genuine with the athletes, which contrasts how police are perceived by some in modern society.
“It’s unbelievable how they wrap their arms around the students,” Heathcote said. “That’s so important because the media shows us the bad, and this is fantastic.”
For more information on donating to the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, visit www.specialolympicspa.org/pittsburgh.
