NJ Cops | Page 63

Passaic Local 14 trades badges for aprons at Tip-A-Cop event Local law enforcement officers turned in their handcuffs for the day to serve burgers at Red Robin restaurants across New Jersey as part of the 10th annual National Tip-A-Cop event benefiting Special Olympics. Passaic Local 14 members headed to their local Red Robin in Clifton on Oct. 24 to volunteer their time serving restaurant guests and collecting tips, 100 percent of which went to Special Olympics New Jersey through the Law Enforcement Torch Run. “Everyone is looking down on law enforcement, but they’re here to help out the community and this is a way of saying we’re out there, we care and we’re involved,” said New Jersey Law Enforcement Torch Run Deputy Director Robert MacFarlane, a retired captain from State Campus Police Local 278 (William Paterson). Each officer was assigned to assist a specific server and explain to diners what Special Olympics is all about. Local 14 members raised $2,774 for Special Olympics New Jersey and altogether, locations statewide raised more than $10,000 to support the cause. “The cops loved it,” informed MacFarlane. “They were supposed to stop at 8 p.m. and they asked if we could go until 9 p.m.” Special Olympics New Jersey athletes were on hand, helping the hostess greet customers, hand out donation envelopes and clear tables. Since inception of the event, more than $5 million has been raised for the Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of the Special Olympics. d Special Olympics New Jersey athletes and members of Passaic Local 14 pose at the Red Robin in Clifton after serving restaurant diners throughout the evening to raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run. www.njcopsmagazine.com ■ NOVEMBER 2015 63