Thursday evening proved to be a successful night for the 17th annual statewide Tip-A-Cop event to help Special Olympics. Held at Texas Roadhouse, the fundraiser drew a crowd of people eager to see city and area police and athletes in action. In Amarillo, the group raised $4,943 to benefit the inspiring athletes.
Previously, Texas roadhouse restaurants have raised over $2 million for Special Olympics over the past 17 years. Amarillo and Canyon officers, along with Special Olympic athletes and waiters, walked around the restaurant taking tips from those who wished to participate with either a check, credit card or cash. Some of the officers who participated are resource officers assigned to different schools in the area.
Judd Wolfe with Canyon Police Department said that working with Special Olympics kids is really special. Wolfe said that Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) was founded in 1981 in Kansas to help with Special Olympics in Texas, and he represented the Canyon Police Department. “I found it to be a great opportunity to get together with the community, parents, athletes, other members, go out and work some sporting events like helping referees organizing and working with other athletes. We just work together for a good outcome,” he said.
APD officer Cpl. Carmela Ogden, who was at Texas Roadhouse around 5 p.m., said other reinforcements were coming in as they could to help gather tips and talk to the public. She was there working with Riley and another athlete, Priscilla Fickling.
Alexi Dunn, a Special Olympics Texas Panhandle United Champion School Specialist, along with her brother, Riley Dunn, an athlete with Special Olympics Texas, were also there and commented on the achievements of the fundraising efforts.
“Riley is my brother, who is 26 years old, and we are very close. When he got into middle school is when we realized he had special needs. He got involved in Special Olympics, and since I was his younger sister, it was always my role to watch after him in public school, how our parents raised us,” she said.
“I was lucky enough to be a supporter, and when I grew up and matured, I wanted to be more of a part, so I got to volunteer through my high school days for Special Olympics of Texas,” Alexi Dunn continued. “I loved being around athletes and watching their dreams come true and not be limited by their abilities. They were able to focus on what they’re capable of and not what they’re not capable of. Because of this experience, I saw a job opening in Amarillo and had just moved to Texas Panhandle to join my family after my dad had retired and moved here … it was a perfect fit.”
Dunn said for her brother, it has helped him because it shows what he is capable of. “And his social skills are amazing. He’s not shy; he’s a friend to all, due to this. He’s been able to have a lot of opportunities that maybe we didn’t think would be possible for him,” she said. “He has been actively participating 13 years, and he said their motto is, ‘Let me win and if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.’
“The great thing about Special Olympics is there is a place for everybody. No matter how severe your condition may be, we have a program for anyone. It’s just been awesome to give them those opportunities. Riley loves sports, and he gets to play sports. He’s is best in bowling,” she said.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Local law enforcement joins Special Olympics at Tip-A-Cop fundraiser
Reporting by Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
