Saturday’s ‘Tip-a-Cop’ fund-raiser to benefit Special Olympics Washington.
Kitsap County Sheriff’s deputies will once again don aprons and take meal orders this Saturday as part of a nationwide law enforcement fund-raising effort to generate money for Special Olympics.
Deputies will serve as volunteer waiters at the annual fund-raiser “Tip-a-Cop” scheduled to take place from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at the Red Robin Restaurant in Silverdale. Money earned by the waiters, in the form of tips or gratuities, is donated to Special Olympics Washington and directly benefits Kitsap County Special Olympics athletes.
The deputies donate their services during off-duty hours and the program is supported by the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office and Kitsap County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild.
Last year, sheriff’s deputies collected more than $6,500 in tips for Special Olympics Washington, which is one of the highest amounts of customer donations received by any Washington state Red Robin Restaurant during the “Tip-a-Cop” fund-raiser.
The “Tip-a-Cop” program is but one part of the overall, year-long Law Enforcement Torch Run Campaign (LETR) which supports Special Olympics. In addition to “Tip-a-Cop,” LETR includes an international series of relay runs and other special events conducted by more than 60,000 law enforcement officers worldwide to raise funds and public awareness for Special Olympics.
In past years, “Tip-a-Cop” was held in late summer or early fall in Washington, but this year, it is being hosted in the spring on the same date nationally with more than 350 participating Red Robin restaurants across the United States. Thirty-two Red Robin restaurants in Washington are participating this year.
For increased LETR fund-raising for Special Olympics, Cloverleaf Comedy Nite is slated for next month. Tickets are $12 each and may be purchased by restaurant patrons during “Tip-a-Cop.” Cloverleaf Comedy Nite is at 9 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at the Cloverleaf Sports Bar and Grill in Bremerton.
Special Olympics Washington provides year-round training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. By participating in sports, physical fitness and healthcare education programs, Special Olympics Washington athletes increase self confidence and social skills, improve physical and motor skills and have increased success in leading productive and independent lives. Events like “Tip-a-Cop” help provide these programs at no cost to the athletes and their families. More than 8,000 athletes compete in Special Olympics Washington and some one million athletes compete in Special Olympics programs in more than 165 countries.
