Police "Bag for Bucks" to Aid Special Olympics

One grocery store was full of police officers Friday evening because dozens of them volunteered their time to help the community in a different way.

They bagged groceries, helped customers load their cars and collected tips as part of the Newark Police Department's "Bagging for Bucks" event, a Special Olympics fundraiser.

More than 22 sworn officers, Community Service Officers, Police Explorers and other Newark police personnel participated in the fundraiser between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. at , along with four Special Olympics athletes from the Tri-City area.

It was an event organized by Officers Nick Mavrakis and Jeff Saunders, who have continued to coordinate the department's fundraisers for the Special Olympics Northern California's Summer Games.

Law enforcement agencies throughout the state are currently raising money and awareness for the 2012 Summer Games, which well be held at University of California Davis, scheduled for June 22–24.

According to its website, Special Olympics Northern California serves more than 13,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities. They compete in 12 different sports, including swimming, track and field, and basketball.

Mavrakis said he was thankful for all of the people who participated in the fundraiser. Friday's fundraiser helped the department raise more than $2,000 to support Special Olympics, Mavrakis said.

The police department has raised thousands in years past through its former annual fundraising event, "."

Mavrakis said the officers are currently working on planning more fundraising events and are looking for businesses that will be willing to help them host a "Tip-a-Cop" event.

Community members can continue to donate to the Special Olympics Northern California by purchasing T-shirts or participating in the adopt-an-athlete program. Learn more by clicking here.

For more information, you may contact Officers Nick Mavrakis and Jeff Saunders at the or check out the Special Olympics website.

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