From 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17 and Wednesday, Sept. 18, West Fargo Police officers are are asking for your tips, but it has nothing to do with crime and everything to do with serving the public.
Officers will be hosting guests at Applebee‘s Neighborhood Grill and Bar (2350 45th St. S. Fargo) to raise awareness and tip money for Special Olympics. This is the 13th annual event for the Law Enforcement Torch Run group, which consists of volunteers from all agencies of law enforcement. The Law Enforcement Torch Run program is the largest public awareness and fundraising program for Special Olympics throughout the world.
The event will take place during the dinner shifts from 5-9 p.m. at Applebee‘s restaurants across North Dakota in the cities of Bismarck, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Minot, West Fargo, and Williston. "We strive to be a good neighbor in all of our communities and with the support of area law enforcement, we can provide a wonderful fundraiser for Special Olympics North Dakota" states Dusty Jensen, Apple Core COO, the management corporation for all Applebee‘s locations in North Dakota.
“We‘re thrilled to have Applebee‘s and the Law Enforcement communities team up to support Special Olympics North Dakota and programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities,” says Kathleen Meagher, President/CEO of Special Olympics North Dakota. She adds, “We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics! The law enforcement volunteers through their involvement embrace the idea of inclusion of all people, including those with an intellectual disability, which is exactly what the movement is all about. It also offers us a great opportunity to spread this awareness with the general public to show that people with intellectual disabilities are contributing members of society. With the Applebee’s Tip-a-Cop program, law enforcement can integrate with the public to share this ideal and raise funds to support on-going opportunities for those who participate in Special Olympics.”
According to Chief Heith Janke, West Fargo Police Department, “there is a lot of excitement for this year‘s event. We have officers, deputies and other personnel from area agencies ready to pitch in at all three metro locations. We’ll be greeting, hosting, seating, and visiting with the customers at Applebee’s, with help of area athletes. We hope to earn even bigger tips this year, so we can really make a nice contribution to Special Olympics. We’ve all taken an oath to serve and protect our communities, and the Applebee’s Tip-a-Cop for Special Olympics is another great way for us to do that.”
About Special Olympics North Dakota
Special Olympics North Dakota is part of a worldwide movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports everyday around the world. Through work in sports, health education and community building, Special Olympics is addressing inactivity, injustice, intolerance and social isolation by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities which leads to a more welcoming and inclusive society. Every year more than 1,600 Special Olympics athletes in North Dakota participate in any fifteen sports offered, through nearly 80 statewide sports competitions. These events are held through the support of more than 300 coaches, 5,000 statewide volunteers. Learn more about Special Olympics North Dakota at www.specialolympicsnd.org and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsND and twitter @SONorthDakota
About West Fargo Police Department
The West Fargo Police Department we operates with 61 sworn police officers, two K9 units, 13 civilian employees and eight volunteers. The department has the responsibility to protect life and safeguard property in a highly effective and efficient manner and to engage the community in a collaborative crime prevention program. For information about future West Fargo Police Department events, please follow @WestFargoPolice on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Event information is also published on www.westfargopolice.com.
