WPD's 'Cop on Top' fundraiser surpasses goal

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Cop on Top

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WORTHINGTON — After raising more than $7,000 last year, Worthington Police Officer Jacki Dawson set a goal of $7,500 for the second annual Cop on Top fundraiser for Special Olympics Minnesota.

Thanks to the generosity of the public, she blew that goal out of the water.

Currently, the total for the fundraising efforts are at $9,283.18, but Dawson said donations are still trickling in.

“I really want to thank the community,” Dawson said Wednesday. “The people who emptied their pockets, put $10 on a credit card or dumped the change container in their car. That adds up really quick.”

Dawson took the first four-hour shift on top of the Hy-Vee building at 6 p.m. May 24, teasing customers via her bullhorn and encouraging them to donate. For 24 hours straight, a cop was on top of the building with that bullhorn, joking with the people who had stopped by to shop or to donate.

“It was a really good time,” Dawson said. “I had a few visitors on the roof and got a chance to talk with people. I don’t always get the opportunity to socialize with the community in general.”

It took a lot of work to organize the event, she said, but it was well worth it.

The weather, which had been forecast for a bit of ugliness, cooperated beautifully. There were a few sprinkles in the 24 hours, but not the rain that had been anticipated.

“It just kept going around us,” Dawson said.

Luckily, a tent donated by Walmart kept everyone dry up on the roof when the sprinkles did touch down.

After surpassing her fundraising goal for the second year, Dawson said she’ll use the time before the next Cop on Top event to come up with some new ideas.

“I’ll have to find a way to step it up and keep money coming in,” she explained. “It is for a great cause and the people are so generous. I’ll have to think up some new fun stuff.”

The burgers, chips and pop fundraiser outside the store was a hit, and many people came by just take advantage of the quick meal while donating to SOMN. Others took the opportunity to hug McGruff the Crime Dog, visit with real-life K-9 Thor and his handler Brett Wiltrout and visit with the Worthington Police Department staff, dispatchers and record keepers who helped.

Dawson offered her thanks toward those people and the others that helped, including Worthington Police Reserve Officers Kaylynn Minders and Kelly Jergenson and all the cops who spent time way up high on the roof. She also thanked the business who donated drawings prizes —Hy-Vee, Radio Works, the Daily Globe, Dairy Queen, Body Wise and Bass Pro Shops.

Winners of the prizes included: Allen Kruger — $100 Hy-Vee gift card, David Keller — We Fest ticket package from Radio Works, David Canten — Halfway Jam ticket package from Radio Works, Mike Remakel — Memorial Auditorium ticket package from the Daily Globe, Tom Bomgaars — Dairy Queen cake, Mike Swan, Mary Viessman and Kim Dalin — half-hour massages from Body Wise, John Weidert and Ayden Stugelmeyer — $25 gift certificates to Bass Pro Shops.

Although Dawson said it was impossible to mention all of the donors, she did want to offer thanks to the area businesses who supported the cause. The top donator was Hubbard Feed. Others who donated $200 or more were Center Sports, Zuercher Technologies, Jason Vote State Farm, Malters, Shepherd and Von Holtum, Davis Typewriter, Sanford Medical Center, JBS, Burger King, the Prairie Elementary staff and Mike Cumiskey. Those who donated $100 included AgStar Financial, Quality Auto Body, Panda House, Ground Round, Newport Labs, Holiday Inn, Worthington Monument, Worthington Water Conditioning & Sales, American Family Insurance Langerud Agency and several private individuals.

Daily Globe Reporter Julstine Wettschreck may be reached at

376-7322.

Tags: news, worthington, police, fundraisers