(BIVN) – Hawaiʻi County police officers climb to the top of Safeway stores in Hilo, as well as Kona, in order to promote the 2008 “Cop on Top” project, which raises money for the Special Olympics.

Police officers took to the Safeway roofs at 6 a.m. Thursday, and will stay there around the clock, until 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The Special Olympics provide a “year-round program of training and competitive sports for physically or mentally challenged athletes.” Donations collected during the Cop on Top effort will help fund the Special Olympics and give athletes the opportunity to travel in order to compete.

This is the fifth year of the event. Last year, Big Island teams reportedly raised over $30,000.