Scotts Valley Police Officers Bag 4 Bucks

Scotts Valley Police officers put in long hours of their time bagging groceries at Scotts Valley Market Saturday, for the first ever "Bagging 4 Bucks" fundraiser. The event was held to raise funds for the Special Olympics of Northern California’s Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The Torch Run at Scotts Valley Market raised $1,708.69, and Steve Hoversten of the Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial donated $2,500.

"This year, law enforcement has raised a total of $1,188,000 for the Special Olympics of Northern California," said Dorreen Roth, director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run. 

There are 14,227 Special Olympic athletes in Northern California, and although the competitions are free for the athletes and their families, the money is needed to help train, coach and put on the competitions, which number over 180 in Northern California. 

"Athletes with an intellectual disability can participate in 12 different sports," Roth said. "Often times, athletes have physical disabilities that go along with an intellectual disability too."

To help raise funds and awareness for the athletes and the games, several members of the SVPD spent the day bagging groceries and hoping there skills would bring in the tips

"The day has been great. It's been very fun and very exciting. A great way to give back to the community," said Ron Clements, owner of Scotts Valley Market. 

Customers who donated money got to fill out a "Bagging Citation," grading the police officer on his bagging technique. Although a few of the officers had a hard time with squashed bread, a few of them turned out to be great for the job.

"It's bringing back lots of memories," said Sgt. Jayson Rutherford, whose first job was bagging groceries when he was 16 years old. "After one or two bags I was back in the groove.”