Tip-A-Cop fundraiser to be held at Chili's restaurant

Area law enforcement officers will be giving a whole new meaning to “protect and serve” later this month when they trade in their badges and handcuffs for aprons and menus to make sure some very special area athletes can attend this year's Special Olympics.

According to Officer Cruz Vidal, of the Yuma Police Department, officers and agents will be joining the wait staff at the Chili's Restaurant, located 1331 S. Yuma Palms Parkway, as “celebrity waiters” for one of its annual Tip-A-Cop events, which raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

“It's a great way for the public to come out and meet the officers,” Vidal said. “And the public really seems to enjoy having the officers wait on them.”

Tip-A-Cop events are one of the main fundraisers for the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), which is one of the largest fundraising arms of Special Olympics Arizona. The Yuma Police Department was one of the top 10 fundraising agencies last year.

According to Vidal, the YPD raised a combined $28,273 last year through all of its different events, such as the Polar Plunge.

Vidal said the Tip-A-Cop event will be held from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Jan. 24, and all of the tips the officers receive will go to Special Olympics. Several civilian employees from the department will be participating as well.

And for the first time this year, Vidal said there will be vehicles on display that officers and agents from the various law enforcement agencies use as part of their operations.

Chili's will also donate a percentage of the proceeds to the torch run during that 10-hour period. During the event, the officers and agents will have an opportunity to tell their customers about the Special Olympics program and solicit donations, which are separate from the customary wait-staff tips.

Vidal said that officers and agents will also leave information about Special Olympics at each table they wait on as well as an envelope should their customers decide to make a donation later. All donations are tax-deductible.

Special Olympics offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities training and competition in 30 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. Special Olympics currently serves over 2.5 million people in more than 200 programs in 165 countries.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.

Tip-A-Cop fundraiser to be held at Chili's restaurant