Texas Roadhouse was bursting at the seams Thursday night, July 23 as the 18th annual statewide Tip-a-Cop took place to benefit Special Olympics Teams in Amarillo.
Members of the Texas Law Enforcement Torch Run and officers with the Amarillo Police Department joined officers from across the state to collect donations for Special Olympics Texas, a year-round movement that provides sports training and athletic competition for kids and adults with intellectual disabilities.
The total amount raised at the Amarillo event was $4,359.15, according to the APD.
At the Amarillo Texas Roadhouse location, people started streaming in as early as 3 p.m., when the event officially started, to enjoy the food, drinks and atmosphere.
A huge presence of Amarillo police officers and Potter County deputies moved around the restaurant with members of the Special Olympic teams, asking the crowds for tips.
The statewide Tip-a-Cop event has previously raised around $2 million total for Special Olympics throughout Texas.
Law enforcement members gobble the beef in Rib Eating Contest
One of the highlights of the evening was the Rib Eating Contest, which was brought back due to popular demand.
A long table stood in the visitor’s waiting area, with 10 members of APD on one side facing members of Potter County Sheriff’s Office on the other.
People, including members of the Special Olympics, cheered the teams on as they wolfed their ribs down without taking time to breathe. One contestant yelled out to another, “Don’t chew!” and people laughed.
In record time, the Potter County team moved ahead and won the competition.
Alexi Dunn, Special Olympics Panhandle United Champion School Specialist, who was manning the booth set up outside, said they were participating in the annual event where law enforcement from local departments teams up with athletes and shares the story of Special Olympics and the impact it can have.
Dunn has a younger brother who is an athlete with Special Olympics Texas. She said that when he was in middle school, the family realized he had special needs and got involved in Special Olympics.
Since she was his younger sister, she watched after him in public school.
Dunn was able to volunteer during her senior years for Special Olympics of Texas and loved the experience of seeing the athletes and watching them succeed and not be limited by their abilities.
Later, she was able to clinch the job as the United Champion School Specialist in the Panhandle. It was a perfect fit for the young woman, and she loves watching special kids finding a place and overcoming difficulties.
Sales of t-shirts and donations were going well, despite the 100+ degree weather.
Special Olympics supports more than 5 million athletes, unified partners, coaches and volunteers with 32 Olympic type sports, according to their website.
Those wishing to donate the fund can go to specialolympics.org to find out more.
APD Public Information Officer Sgt. Carla Burr said it was her 14th time to work the event, and she always enjoyed it. Burr said the turnout was more than it had been in recent times, and she was happy about the support of the community.
“It’s so great to see how Amarillo supports Amarillo people,” Burr said. “I love how generous our community is. Truly, it is humbling.”
Nell Williams is a staff writer covering trends and other news for the Amarillo Globe-News. Have a story idea? Email her at nwilliams@usatodayco.com .
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Tip-a-Cop Amarillo event brings in crowd, funds for Special Olympics
Reporting by Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News | USA TODAY Network
