SOKY to benefit from annual 'Cover the Cruiser'
In what typically would be a crime, people were instead invited to 'Cover the Cruiser' by taping donation slips promoting the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which raises money and awareness for Special Olympics Kentucky (SOKY).
Trooper Corey King, public affairs officer for KSP's Henderson post, said for a minimum $1 donation, anyone could have the rare chance to deface a police cruiser.
'It's a unique way for anyone to come and basically graffiti a law enforcement vehicle and us be completely OK with it,' King said. 'It's $1 to litter our vehicle but most people are giving more than that.'
The 'Cover the Cruiser' campaign, which involves all 16 KSP posts, began on April 17 in Bowling Green and then picked back up this week — April 21-25.
King said 'Cover the Cruiser' was started five years ago as a replacement to the Torch Run, which was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Torch Run has since returned and 'Cover the Cruiser' was kept as an extra way to aid and promote SOKY.
Thursday's campaign in Owensboro ran from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
'It can vary from $1,000 to $3,000 in a several hour period,' said King about how much is raised from the single event. 'Now, when you do that with all the 16 other posts, it adds up and that helps Special Olympics Kentucky.'
Athletes and representatives from SOKY were visible and greeting those who came to donate.
Kim Johnson, who's the Daviess County SOKY coordinator and SOKY Area 2 director, said the money raised in Owensboro will help pay for such necessities as venue rentals and game officials.
'We offer 15 different sports year round and we serve over 11,000 athletes across the state; here locally, we have about 200 who participate,' said Johnson, who's been working with SOKY for 36 years. '…It's my passion project.'
This marks thesecond year Audubon Federal Credit Union has hosted the 'Cover the Cruiser' campaign.
Previously, the event was held at a local convenience store and a restaurant.
Jessica Higdon, Audubon Federal Credit Union's CEO, said the credit union also had space to bring in other nonprofits and a food truck to help make it an even larger public draw.
'We want to bring out as many people as we can, and we love doing this,' Higdon said. 'Special Olympics is a great organization, and community involvement is on top of our radar constantly. …Just being able to provide a good space … we have a huge parking lot and a huge front lawn.'
Higdon added that she has a nephew who lost a leg last year in an accident, putting him in a position to become an athlete in SOKY.
'If we could host it every year in honor of my nephew, I would absolutely love it,' Higdon said. 'So that's what it means to me to have it here.'
The final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run will lead up to the opening of the SOKY Summer Games on June 6, in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort.
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