EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 El Paso law enforcement officers traded their uniforms for aprons on Thursday during a fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse, spending the day working as restaurant staff to support Special Olympics Texas athletes in El Paso.<\/p>\n
The annual \u201cTip a Cop\u201d event had officers serving food, greeting guests, and helping the waitstaff as they collected tips and raised money for sports training and competition opportunities for El Paso\u2019s Special Olympics Texas athletes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe officers are here, and they’re off-duty, and they’re here on their own, and they’re taking that bread and helping serve water to everyone,\u201d said Renee Klovenski, executive director of Special Olympics Texas. “Tonight is the night where they’re one-on-one with the guests in the restaurant, sharing their story and introducing the Special Olympics team of El Paso to the community,\u201d Klovenski said.<\/p>\n
Visitors were also invited to stop by and meet El Paso\u2019s Special Olympics team. <\/p>\n
“It’s so important to meet our athletes. They have wonderful stories. They overcome many obstacles in their lives. But most importantly, they’re the biggest advocate of why Special Olympics is wonderful and important to them,” Klovenski said. <\/p>\n
According to Klovenski, in the state of Texas last year, including the officers in El Paso, raised $ 1.4 million for the Special Olympics Texas program and are hoping to raise funds to continue building up their program.<\/p>\n
“Here in El Paso, we have six sports that are currently active. We used to have more than that, and we’re hoping to rebuild and get it back on its feet. So join us and become part of our athletes,” Klovenski said. <\/p>\n
You can find information on Special Olympics Texas here<\/a>. <\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: El Paso Panthers youth track team sets record with 14 medals at Jr. Olympics<\/a><\/p>\n