SEQUIM — A group of local law enforcement officers will be serving the people of Clallam County on Thursday — but this time with refreshments and drinks, not court papers or warrants.
It will be the North Olympic Peninsula’s first Tip-A-Cop fundraiser, at Applebee’s in Sequim, with local law enforcers helping the wait staff to raise money for Special Olympics.
The event will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Applebee’s at 130 River Road.
Clallam County Sheriff’s Chief Criminal Deputy Ron Cameron is coordinating the event for the North Olympic Peninsula.
He said he hasn’t yet confirmed which law enforcement agencies are participating, but so far, he is expecting the Sheriff’s Office and the Sequim and Port Angeles police will be there.
Law enforcement officers will help by bringing beverages to the table, while the regular wait staff will handle the food and the alcohol orders, Cameron said.
Patrons may tip the officers above whatever tip they give to the servers as a separate donation.
In addition to the officers, some Special Olympians and coaches will be at the restaurant for Thursday’s fundraiser.
“We are optimistic about raising some more money for the Special Olympics,” Cameron said.
“I’ve contacted all of the department heads, and I’m now just waiting on a response on who can participate.
“We always have a lot of support for the Special Olympics, so I’m sure we’ll have a good group.”
It is the second fundraiser for Special Olympics at Applebee’s this year.
A breakfast in June raised more than $1,400 — which made the North Olympic Peninsula the top fundraiser in Western Washington in the statewide effort, Cameron said.
Most of the other Applebee’s in the state participated.
“We were really pleased with how well the breakfast fundraiser went,” Cameron said.
The law enforcement agencies of the North Olympic Peninsula also got together to take the Special Olympics torch from Port Angeles to the Hood Canal for the state games in June.
For more information on Special Olympics, visit www.sowa.org.