By Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
Members of the Clermont Police Department (CPD) rolled up their sleeves for the annual “Tip-A-Cop” fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse, 2457 South US-27, Clermont, on Wednesday evening, January 24th.
The officers helped the wait staff with serving food, drinks, and customer hospitality needs throughout the evening to help support the Special Olympics Florida (SOF). Clermont Police Chief Chuck Broadway was even spotted in the kitchen bakery area preparing those delicious Roadhouse rolls everyone loves. SOF volunteers were on-site as well to offer for sale t-shirts, ballcaps, and trinkets to the diners. The officers raised $2,700.00 during the evening with 100% of the tips and customer donations given to the Special Olympics Florida local headquarters in Clermont.
Special Olympics is a global organization that serves athletes with intellectual disabilities while working with hundreds of thousands of volunteers and coaches annually. Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Those activities give the participants continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendships.
The Clermont Police Department has been a long-time advocate and support team for the SOF organization utilizing fundraising and participating in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida.
On April 24th, the local Torch Run will take place with registration beginning at 9:15 am in the parking lot of the SOF Headquarters located at 1915 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont. The Torch Run gains the support of over 300 Florida law enforcement agencies each year. With nearly 5,000 police officers participating statewide, the run includes a 1500-mile relay through 67 Florida counties before ending at the opening ceremony of the annual state summer games.
The state summer games begin on May 17th at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and USTA National Campus, 700 South Victory Way, Orlando.
The CPD has three additional “Tip-A-Cop” fundraisers scheduled for the Special Olympics Florida as follows,
- February 13th, 4-8 pm at Outback Steakhouse, 1625 East SR-50, Clermont;
- March 13th, 4-8 pm at Texas Roadhouse, 2457 South US-27, Clermont;
- April 10th, 4-8 pm at Miller’s Ale House, 1555 South Grand Highway, Clermont.
Enjoy your favorite meal and leave a tip to help these athletes or their families participate in this annual event. Your donation is crucial to the success and the mission of never charging an athlete or their family to participate. 100% of the tips donated are given to the Special Olympics, Florida athletes.
