Small Town News

Officers collect more than $7,000 in tips for Special Olympics

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Issaquah police officers protect and serve -- and on March 26, men and women in blue served meals, too.

For the annual Tip-a-Cop fundraiser, officers dished up burgers, fries and more to diners at Red Robin. Tips collected by officers benefited Special Olympics Washington.

Issaquah and Snoqualmie officers served meals for nine hours during the Saturday lunch and dinner rushes -- and collected $7,741 in tips for the nonprofit organization.

"It's just a positive feeling to

know that you're having fun and getting money to help out people that might not be able to participate in these sports events otherwise," Issaquah Communications Specialist Jacqueline Kerness said.

Motorcycle officers and other motorcyclists kicked off the fundraiser at a motorcycle ride from the Issaquah Microsoft campus to the restaurant.

Special Olympics Washington set a statewide goal of $150,000 for the fundraiser. For people unable to attend Tip-a-Cop, Red Robin also accepted donations to the Special Olympics at the restaurant for days leading up to the fundraiser.

The nonprofit organization uses the dollars to provide year-round sports training and competition to build self-confidence and social skills, improve physical and motor skills in disabled children and adults.

Issaquah officers collected more than $6,000 during the Tip-a-Cop fundraiser last year.

Overall, officers and department personnel from numerous agencies set aside badges and handcuffs for aprons and menus at 34 Red Robin restaurants in the Puget Sound region and Eastern Washington. Officers and command staff members serve as "celebrity" servers alongside the Red Robin staff

"The officers did a great job of explaining why they were mere and what it benefits and where the money is going," Kerness said. "They were really good at disseminating information."



Copyright 2011 The Issaquah Press, Issaquah, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 The Issaquah Press Issaquah, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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