Applebee’s restaurants across Connecticut will team up with their community’s police officers to host Tip-A-Cop events benefitting Special Olympics Connecticut on Thursday, May 16, from 5 to 9 p.m. Participating restaurants and officers volunteering their time will be at: • Groton: 350 Long Hill Road; • Manchester: 191 Deming Street; • Mansfield: 93 Storrs Road; • Plainville: 270 New Britain Avenue; • Torrington: 1690 East Main Street; and • Wallingford: 1088 North Colony Road, Police officers will don aprons, take orders and serve meals to restaurant patrons for the evening, working alongside restaurant employees. Envelopes will be provided on all tables so that guests may leave a tip for the officer who served them. All tips the officers receive for their efforts will go to support Special Olympics athletes in their year-round sports training and to further the Special Olympics mission of inspiring inclusion, respect and acceptance for individuals of all abilities. For more information, call 203-230-1201 or visit www.soct.org. About the Special Olympics Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run® The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Connecticut is one of the movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicles. This year-round program involves law enforcement officers from across the state, who volunteer their time to raise awareness and funds through events including Tip-a-Cops, Cop-on-Tops, Jail N’ Bails. In 2012, the Torch Run raised over $500,000 for Special Olympics Connecticut. In addition, on June 5, 6, and 7, 2013, over 1,500 officers and athletes will carry the Special Olympics "Flame of Hope" - as they do every year - through hundreds of cities and towns across the state, covering over 530 miles. The runners will reach Southern Connecticut State University where they’ll be part of Opening Ceremonies for the Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games, June 7-9, 2013. Law Enforcement Torch Run Sponsors: Whelen Engineering, Dream Ride 2013, Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Papa’s Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, JN Phillips Auto Glass and WWE. Special Olympics Connecticut – Celebrating 45 Years Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for close to 15,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports® partners - their teammates without disabilities. Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities throughout the state and in 170 countries around the world by inspiring inclusion and respect for all people, on and off the playing field. (www.soct.org) Partner Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Connecticut Light & Power/Yankee Gas/Western Massachusetts Electric (Northeast Utilities Companies), Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC Connecticut, TD Bank, United Technologies and WWE. Year-Round Suppliers: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New England, Crystal Rock Water and Coffee Company, Dunkin’ Donuts, Graebel Connecticut, Guida’s Milk and Ice Cream, Marcus Communications, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service and Worx Branding & Advertising. --##--
