Beat the summer heat and meet your local law enforcement officers at a drive-thru ice cream social hosted next week by the Federal Way Police Department.

In partnership with Special Olympics Washington, the department is hosting a drive-thru ice cream social event from 6-8 p.m. — or whenever they run out of sweet treats — Thursday, Aug. 6, at Celebration Park in Federal Way.

With COVID-19 concerns, social distancing will be practiced as the residents drive through the event with police staff providing packaged ice cream bars and cones from a safe distance.

Federal Way’s annual National Night Out event, organized by the police department, was canceled earlier this summer due to the pandemic and concerns for the health of residents. The department’s annual Run with the Cops 5K was also canceled.

“That’s a huge thing for us to be able to connect with the community,” said Federal Way Officer Donovan Heavener. “We wanted to find some way to still connect with community and abide by social distancing guidelines … Right now, it’s tough to have conversations because of COVID, but sometimes actions speak louder than words.”

The ice cream social idea is a first for the department, and law enforcement officials say they look forward to fostering stronger relationships with the local community.

“That relationship seems more important now than ever before,” said Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang.

This event is fully paid for by local businesses and organizations. Any leftover funds will be donated to Special Olympics Washington, a cause that is near and dear to local officers’ hearts, Heavener said.

Some of the local businesses and associations include: The Korean American Association, Korean American Chamber of Commerce, Korean American Hotel Association, Korean School of Federal Way, Korean American Grocers, Federal Way Rotary Club, South King Firefighters Foundation, Eagle Tire and Automotive, H-Mart, HNN Communities and more.