Local Law Enforcement Officers Bag Groceries To Raise Money For Special Olympics Oklahoma

On Saturday, local law enforcement officers rolled up their sleeves and got to bagging groceries at homelands across the city as part of their 'Bagging with Badges' event in support of Special Olympics Oklahoma. Officers assisted customers and collected donations from 12 to 4 p.m. at participating Homelands across the metro.

“We got busy all of the sudden at noon when they came out," says Val Schlueter, general manager of the Lindsey Street Homeland location in Norman. "So, I think people were looking forward to coming out and supporting.”

The event was dedicated to raising money for Special Olympics Oklahoma athletes, an organization Schlueter holds dear to his heart.

“Special Olympics is just a great event," he says. "They’re the happiest kids out there in the world and raising the money helps support them and send them to the events. It helps buys their supplies, their shoes, their clothes.”

It’s a cause that is also special to officers like major Dan Stewart.

“It’s just something that we feel passionate about and it’s super fun,” he says.

He also says it’s also a great way for officers to connect with the community.

“We enjoy doing it and we enjoy interacting with the people that come out and we enjoy just helping the special Olympics program.”

The officers were hard at work assisting cashiers with bagging groceries and even helping customers take their groceries out to their cars. Customers were encouraged to leave a tip for the officers as a donation to the fundraiser.

“We all just like to give back to the community, give back to good causes,” says Schlueter.

He says there’s nothing better than seeing law enforcement come together with his employees and the community.

“We work with the community every day hand in hand," Schlueter says. "My customers are part of the community, the people they protect and serve are part of the community. So it’s fun to kind of untuck our shirt tails, take a deep breath and be part of the big family with the customers.”

All proceeds and donations collected at participating Homeland Stores will benefit Special Olympics Oklahoma.