Tip-a-Cop Fundraiser aiming to earn $40,000 at College Station Texas Roadhouse | Local News
Bryan Police Lt. Jason James visits with patrons during the Tip-a-Cop fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse on Monday. Local law enforcement officers serve tables and collect tips for the Special Olympics during the event, which will continue through Thursday from 3 to 10 p.m. daily.
Texas A&M University Police Officer Justin Vykukal chats with patrons during the Special Olympics Tip-a-Cop fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse on Monday, July 26, 2021. The fundraiser will continue through Thursday from 3-10 p.m.
College Station Police Officer Lance Weiss cleans a table during the Special Olympics Tip-a-Cop fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse on Monday, July 26, 2021. The fundraiser will continue through Thursday from 3-10 p.m.
Local law enforcement officers serve tables and collect tips for the Special Olympics during the Tip-a-Cop fundraiser, which will continue through Thursday from 3-10 p.m. daily.
Officer Emilee Smith, left, and Sgt. Josh Hearen of the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office chat with diners at Texas Roadhouse during the Special Olympics Tip-a-Cop fundraiser on Monday, July 26, 2021. Local law enforcement officers serve tables and collect tips for the Special Olympics during the fundraiser, which will continue through Thursday from 3-10 p.m. daily.
Officer Emilee Smith with the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office carries a tray of beverages to a table during the Special Olympics Tip-a-Cop fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse on Monday.
Hearne Police Officer Chris Searles visits with diners at Texas Roadhouse during the Special Olympics Tip-a-Cop fundraiser on Monday, July 26, 2021. Local law enforcement officers serve tables and collect tips for the Special Olympics during the fundraiser, which will continue through Thursday from 3-10 p.m. daily.
Madisonville Police Officer Matthew Srader delivers baskets of rolls to a table during the Special Olympics Tip-a-Cop fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse on Monday, July 26, 2021. Local law enforcement officers serve tables and collect tips for the Special Olympics during the fundraiser, which will continue through Thursday from 3-10 p.m. daily.
Madisonville Police Officer Matthew Srader carries fresh sodas to a table during the Special Olympics Tip-a-Cop fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse on Monday, July 26, 2021. Local law enforcement officers serve tables and collect tips for the Special Olympics during the fundraiser, which will continue through Thursday from 3-10 p.m. daily.
Area law enforcement officials are greeting visitors, refilling drinks and helping Texas Roadhouse waitstaff this week in an effort to raise money for Special Olympics.
The annual Tip-a-Cop fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse in College Station has been a staple for local law enforcement since 2008, but the event was put on hold last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Monday kicked off the return of the festivities, which will run through Thursday. Diners who go out for a bite between 3 and 10 p.m. can chat with officers and purchase T-shirts from Special Olympics athletes.
The goal this year is to raise $40,000 at the restaurant, which would top the 2019 figure of $39,000, said Bryan Police Lt. Jason James, who organizes the fundraiser each year.
The goal is higher than the typical $3,000 to $5,000 that other Tip-a-Cop fundraisers bring in, according to Rose Stewart, Area 6 director for Special Olympics Texas. This year, there is a statewide goal to raise $200,000 in total, Stewart said.
More than anything, James said the priority is to ensure that the Special Olympics can run smoothly.
“Our little old College Station Roadhouse produces more money than any other in the state of Texas, and across the nation,” James said. “We are really good at this, and the Special Olympic athletes are really counting on us to provide for them to be able to have the Special Olympic Games, either to rent facilities, buy equipment or transportation to the Special Olympic Games. It’s needed for them to get out of the house, socialize, stay active and overall stay healthy. So that’s our goal, is to be able to make sure that our Olympic Games happen.”
