Tips to benefit Special Olympics
Gretchen Hoffman
GLENDALE -- Residents will have the chance to see Glendale Police and
Fire officials serve the community in a new capacity -- as waiters at a
downtown restaurant on Thursday and Friday.
Tips and a portion of the dinner proceeds collected at a “Tip-A-Cop”
event on Thursday and “Tip the Firemen” on Friday will benefit local
Special Olympics programs.
Glendale Police officers and Chief Russell Siverling will be at
Milano’s from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday for the fund-raiser, Officer Sue
Shine said. The department also works with the Special Olympics for an
annual torch run fund-raiser in June, she added.
Glendale Fire Chief Chris Gray and 15 to 20 other firefighters will be
at Milano’s Italian Kitchen from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Capt. Robert Doyle
said.
“It’s a phenomenal organization that empowers all young people with a
positive difference in their life,” Shine said. “There’s nothing like
seeing those kids accomplish their goals.”
The Tri-Valley Special Olympics holds similar events each year, but
this is the first one will be held in Glendale, Shine said.
Last year, similar dinners raised $14,000 for local programs and
training, said Jan Maseda, an area director for the Tri-Valley Special
Olympics. This year’s goal is to raise $25,000 from seven dinners, she
added.
“A lot of it is just to raise awareness in the community about persons
with special conditions and about what great people they are and what
they can do,” Maseda said.
Athletes will be at Milano’s talking to diners about the organization
and the events they compete in, she added.
“It’s a really worthy cause,” Doyle said. “As firefighters, we often
see the underdog, or we see people that are permanently injured. I think
firefighters just have a heart for that kind of thing.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Police officers and firefighters will wait tables and donate
their tips to the Tri-Valley Special Olympics.
WHEN: Glendale Police will serve dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday.
Firefighters will act as waiters from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday.
WHERE: Milano’s Italian Kitchen, 525 N. Brand Blvd.