Red Robin to host annual Tip-A-Cop to benefit Special Olympics

Join Special Olympics Illinois for this year's Red Robin Tip-A-Cop on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 19 restaurants throughout Illinois.

Local law enforcement will trade in their handcuffs and badges for gourmet burgers and aprons at Red Robin restaurants in Illinois as part of the national Tip-A-Cop event benefitting Special Olympics. Law enforcement across the U.S. will collect tips and help serve Red Robin restaurant guests from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m.

Officers and law enforcement volunteers act as "Celebrity Waiters" alongside Red Robin wait staff to help raise funds through "tips" for the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois.

Red Robin restaurants in the following cities will participate: Bloomingdale, Cantera, Deer Park, East Peoria, Edwardsville (10/17), Fairview Heights, Gurnee, Hoffman Estates, Lincolnshire, Normal, Oak Brook, Orland Park, Oswego, Plainfield, Rockford, Schaumburg, Skokie, South Elgin and White Oak Plaza.

Supporting local and national causes, like Special Olympics, that promote the health and welfare of families and citizens in local communities is an important part of the Red Robin culture. In 11 years, Tip-A-Cop events at Red Robin restaurants have raised more than $3.3 million to support both Special Olympics and the mission of inclusion and acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities. This funding continues to support year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports throughout the United States.

Special Olympics Illinois is a nonprofit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for more than 22,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 21,000 young athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities.

Tip-A-Cop is part of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run campaign. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the single largest year-round fundraising vehicle benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. The annual intrastate relay and its various fundraising projects have two goals: to raise money and to gain awareness for the athletes who participate in Special Olympics Illinois. The Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised $40 million over 30 years while increasing awareness of Special Olympics Illinois athletes and their accomplishments.

Special Olympics would like to thank everyone who supports this event for Special Olympics and visits their local Red Robin.

For more information, please visit www.soill.org.