Officers to raise money
for Special Olympics
By Jenny Jones
Summer
Reporter
On June 1 Tippecanoe County law enforcement officials
will be collaborating with officers across Indiana to help raise money
for the Special Olympics.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special
Olympics stretches about 60 miles, from Indianapolis to Terre Haute.
Officers participating in the relay will each
run a leg of approximately three to five miles to support the Special
Olympics. Participants must raise a minimum of $100 to compete.
There are several ways officers may raise money,
such as selling torch run t-shirts, getting a local business to sponsor
them or selling Harley-Davidson/bass boat raffle tickets.
The money collected will go towards activities
such as dances and parties; it will also allow more athletes to participate
in the games, which begin June 1.
"Without the funds that are generated, not as
many developmentally challenged kids could participate," said Tim
Potts, officer for the Purdue police department.
Not only will the kids get a chance to take part
in the variety of events that are planned for Special Olympics, but
they will also get an opportunity to be away from their parents to
"just be one of the kids."
"I wish everyone could see some of these games
because if they did I think more people would be donating or volunteering
their time," Potts said. "It's heart-wrenching and inspirational."
Another way that many officers raise money is
by taking part in the "Cops and Lobsters" fundraiser, an annual event
that takes place at the 20 Red Lobster restaurants throughout the
state of Indiana.
During this event officers from the area law
enforcement agencies become bussers, servers and hosts at the restaurants.
"(We do) whatever we can do to cause the least
amount of damage," Potts said.
The officers raise money during this event by
offering information to Red Lobster's customers about Special Olympics.
If they wish to make a donation they can do so at the end of their
meal, Potts said. This year the Lafayette Red Lobster raised more
than $1,800 during the event.
"It's a lot of fun," said Barbara Tracy, manager
of the Lafayette Red Lobster.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special
Olympics was first held in 1984, only a few thousand dollars were
raised.
Since then the run has grown to accumulate more
than $200,000 in the year 2000. The goal for this year's relay is
$250,000.
