Texas Roadhouse, the Special Olympics, and law enforcement agencies across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex are teaming up to raise money for athletes with disabilities.
Texas Roadhouse locations across Texas are hosting police this week to collect tips for the Special Olympics, according to a press release. Numerous departments across DFW are participating and have collectively raised more than $5,800 by the time of publication.
During the fundraiser, police donned aprons to wait on customers at Texas Roadhouse, taking tips to support Special Olympics Texas, according to the release. This is one of the largest fundraisers for the group in the state, having once raised $300,000 in a single day.
“Our team is proud to serve alongside local officers and athletes to support a cause that truly matters,” said Katlyn Holton, Texas Roadhouse marketing coach, in the release. “The energy is unforgettable, and the fun shared between staff and guests makes it one of my favorite days to work.”
The main event will take place on the night of July 24, but some departments are participating for multiple days.
“Thank you to everyone who came out to Texas Roadhouse in McKinney to support this incredible cause,” the McKinney Police Department posted on Facebook July 23. The department said residents’ “generosity” helps support the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, providing “year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.”
Participants include the following DFW-area police departments:
- Denton County Sheriff’s Office, Denton Police Department – 2817 S. I-35 E, Denton, TX 76210
- Flower Mound Police Department, Highland Village Police Department, and Northlake Police Department: 3811 Long Prairie Rd., Flower Mound, TX 75028
- Fort Worth Police Department – 4720 SW Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX 76109
- Garland Police Department – 5012 N. President George Bush Hwy., Garland, TX 75040
- Irving Police Department – 2525 W. Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Irving, TX 75063
- Mansfield Police Department – 940 US-287, Mansfield, TX 76063
- McKinney Police Department – 3101 S. Central Expressway, McKinney, TX 75070
- Mesquite Police Department – 1420 N Peachtree Rd., Mesquite, TX 75149
- Rockwall Police Department – 912 E. I-30, Rockwall, TX 75087
- White Settlement Police Department – 6672 NW Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX 76135
Texas Roadhouse locations in Lake Worth, The Colony, and Prosper are also planning to host the fundraisers.
“We’re here to make a difference in our communities, both in and out of uniform,” said Bryan Police Officer Jason James in the release. “Tip-A-Cop gives us the opportunity to support Special Olympics athletes by literally serving in a different way.”