Berkshire County law enforcement officers are getting a bird’s-eye view of the holiday spirit.
With the sun hidden behind the clouds Friday morning, a torch was lit to signify the start of a unique fundraising event.
John Bassi is a crime scene investigator with the Pittsfield Police Department. He and his partner Darren Derby helped bring the event to the city as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run program to support the Special Olympics.
“It’s called Cop-on-Top and the majority of the time it’s done at Walmarts, but other municipalities do it at doughnut shops…because of the jokes about doughnuts and cops, ya know,” Bassi said with a smile. “But we decided to approach the manger here at Walmart four years ago. And here we are. Four years later, we’ve had a very successful run. Thus far we’ve raised over $200,000 for Special Olympics.”
Police Chief Mike Wynn says the event is a big undertaking for his officers, but one they are proud to support.
“When Law Enforcement Torch Run approached us a couple years ago looking for liaison officers, I hadn’t finished hitting send on the email before John showed up and said he wanted to volunteer,” Wynn recalled. “Obviously it’s a cause that’s close to his heart because of his son.”
Bassi’s 10-year-old son Jake is a Special Olympic athlete.
“There’s never any anger, hate or anything like that,” Officer Bassi said. “They’re always happy and happy to help. They’re great people to be around.”
Michele Adler is one of the athletes who lit the torch on the roof with the help of a ladder truck courtesy of the Pittsfield Fire Department. Adler has been active in the Special Olympics since 1992 in tennis, bowling and golf.
“Meeting new friends, having fun, just trying my best and encouraging my fellow athletes,” said Adler.
As a global messenger for the Special Olympics, Adler travels to police stations and schools to talk about her experiences.
“It took me a while to get my confidence to speak to other people,” she said. “I think the biggest group I ever spoke to was probably 2,000 people and I was a little nervous there, but I did it.”
Local law enforcement hope to raise $55,000 over the two-day event by hauling donations up to their campsite on the roof via a bucket tied to a rope. Bassi says they have already raised $21,000 and are well-prepared to meet their goal…maybe.
“Um, camping up there can be hairy,” Bassi said laughing. “The first year we camped out up there we were ill-prepared. We pretty much had the run of the mill tent you would use to camp out in the summertime. We had quite an experience that first year. We got very cold and we got snowed on. It was like being on Mt. Everest.”
Chief Wynn says he’s unsure if he’ll make it to the rooftop, but finds reassurance that his officers are willing to camp out in the cold temperatures.
“If we have to operate through long operational periods in the cold weather we have people with ample experience at that now,” joked Wynn.
Since its creation in Wichita, Kansas in 1981, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has reached 46 countries and raised more than $461 million for Special Olympics. Money raised from last year’s event in Pittsfield sent Officer Bassi and skierLindsay Blagg to the Special Olympics World Winter Games in South Korea in January representing the Massachusetts coalition. After 13 years of participating, Blagg has one message.
“Having fun!” Blagg exclaimed.
The event continues through Saturday at the Walmart off of Hubbard Avenue in Pittsfield.
