Wings and Wheels: Police speed up Special Olympics support

It started as a new way for the Monroe Police Department to raise money for Special Olympics, but quickly grew into something much larger.

Coordinated by Monroe Police Officer Derrick Lether, the first Wings and Wheels Car Show benefiting Special Olympics takes place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Monroe's First Air Field. Sponsored by Monroe's Big Box Outlet Store, the family-friendly event will include a show and shine for vehicles, motorcycles and airplanes, trophies, prizes, raffles, vendor booths, a beer garden, food trucks, live music and activities for kids like inflatables and games.

Parking and admission are free for spectators.

The beer garden is being sponsored by the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and the inflatables are being donated by Monroe's FunRent Inflatable Rentals.

Wings and Wheels is a multifaceted event celebrating community. In addition to raising money for Special Olympics and honoring Special Olympics athletes, the event includes military involvement as it remembers those lost during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

It also includes a nod to the Seattle Seahawks, commemorating the beginning of football season and boosting excitement for the following day's season opener against the Miami Dolphins.

"We're trying to incorporate all three aspects into it,GÇ¥ Lether said.

There are still plenty of opportunities for community involvement, Lether said. Businesses that wish to support the event are welcome to do so through financial sponsorships, and Lether is seeking a variety of donated items, including products and gift certificates, to be given away during raffles held throughout the day.

Vendor space is available and all local businesses are welcome to participate; there is no set theme.

"There's still plenty of vendor spots available,GÇ¥ Lether said. "It's a family show, so we're not really geared towards just cars or just planes ' it's anything.GÇ¥

The requested donation for a 10-by-10 vendor booth is $100, or $150 for a 10- by-20. All donations are fully tax-deductible, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to support Special Olympics.

They are looking for gearheads, motorcycle enthusiasts and airplane aficionados to participate in the show and shine. The goal of Wings and Wheels is to host at least 100 vehicles and motorcycles, along with 50-75 airplanes. First Air Field owner Daryl Habich is helping to gather local pilots, who are invited to fly in and show off their wings.

Vehicle entry is $10 for advance registration and $20 on the day of the show. Prizes will be awarded in a total of 10 different classes, including Best in Show, Best Stock, Best Custom, Best Motorcycle, Best Import, Best Domestic, Best Truck and Best SUV. There will be a 9/11 Award given for the most patriotic vehicle and a Chief's Choice award hand selected by Monroe Police Chief Tim Quenzer.

The Monroe Police Department has a long history of raising money for Special Olympics, which is the largest sports organization for kids and adults with cognitive disabilities in the world.

Over the years the department has participated in a variety of different fundraising efforts, including Tip-a-Cop events, where officers don tuxedos and serve as waiters and waitresses for an evening. They've also done Spin-a-Thons, where officers pledge to ride stationary bikes for a period of time lasting up to 12 hours.

Lether hopes to establish Wings and Wheels as an annual event.

Hired by the department on Nov. 4, 2013 and sworn in on Oct. 21, 2014, Lether made an early, indelible impression on the Monroe community for his compassionate treatment of a young, disabled man who was found walking alone down U.S. 2. Lether graduated from the law enforcement academy in June 2014 and was in the midst of his field training assignment at the time.

Partnered with Field Training Officer (FTO) Paul Henderson, the two responded to a call about the young man, made by a concerned resident who had noticed him walking along the busy roadway. They picked him up and brought him to EvergreenHealth Monroe.

But they didn't just leave him there. He and Henderson worked to locate resources for the then-19-year-old, who suffers both mental and physical disabilities and was homeless at the time.

Originally from Marysville, Lether left a career at Boeing to become a police officer, something he said he'd always wanted to do. He now lives in Monroe and loves his job with the department, he said. He is hopeful that Wings and Wheels will be a robust, community-building event, and invites residents from all over the Sky Valley to participate.-á -á -á

"It's the first year, so we're not really sure what to expect as far as numbers. We're hoping to have somewhere between five and 800 people,GÇ¥ Lether said. "It's free to everybody, so hopefully everybody comes out.GÇ¥

Lether is seeking musicians interested in performing at the event. To donate an item to the raffle, enter a vehicle or sign up to be a vendor, contact Lether at dlether@ci.monroe.wa.us or call 360-794-6300. For more information about the event, visit www.facebook.com/events/1063359193699506.