The Police Activity League of Waterbury, Inc. and the Waterbury Police Department is holding a Tip-A-Cop event on Thursday, December 13, 2012 at the Chili’s of Waterbury from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Chili’s is located in the Brass Mill Commons at 205 Union St. Officers will be on hand to help serve the public and to educate patrons about the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Patrons are asked to “Tip a Cop” as a donation to Special Olympics Connecticut. For more information please call Lieutenant Daniel Lauer at 203-346-3971 .
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® is Special Olympics’ single largest grass-roots public awareness vehicle. The International Torch Run Program raises world-wide awareness with participation of law enforcement from 48 nations, 12 Canadian Provinces and 50 states. In Connecticut, the Torch Run is an actual running event where officers and athletes carry the Special Olympics “Flame of Hope” to the Opening Ceremonies of the State Summer Games, recently held in New Haven. Law enforcement personnel assist year round in events such as this to raise both awareness and funds in support of Connecticut’s program. In 1986, Connecticut had its first Torch Run with a few legs converging onto the campus of the University of Connecticut at Storrs. The run then became a statewide event involving several more cities and towns. Since its inception, the Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run has grown into the largest grass roots fund-raising event for Special Olympics Connecticut.
Since 1969, Special Olympics Connecticut has been changing attitudes and changing lives through year-round sports training and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Connecticut currently serves 8,984 athletes (with intellectual disabilities) and partners (without intellectual disabilities) from across the state. Athletes and partners compete in 21 different Olympic-type sports thanks to over 100 local coordinators, 900 coaches and 10,000 additional volunteers.