Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
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Residents, cops tip organization Public Safety takes part in Tip-A-Cop and the Torch Run for Special Olympics Photo courtesy of Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety Lt. Glenn Fortin helps to serve a table of customers at Spoons in Sunnyvale. The public safety officers waited on customers and in return received tips that were donated to the Special Olympics Fund. By Jana Seshadri For the evening of May 30, officers from the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety wore different hats without changing uniforms. Seven Sunnyvale police officers waited on tables and served food at Spoons Restaurant, located at 725 S. Fair Oaks Ave., during the Tip-A-Cop fundraiser for the Special Olympics. "Law enforcement departments from all over the United States have traditionally raised funds for the Special Olympics," Chief Irwin "Ernie" Bakin said. The officers assisted the waitstaff in serving food to patrons that evening from 5 to 9 p.m. at the packed restaurant. Families had to wait as much as 15 to 20 minutes to get a table. Children looked on with awe as they watched uniformed police officers serve them their food. As a special treat, the officers pinned police badges to the children's shirts. White T-shirts were also on sale at the event. Cops run with the torch "It was a lot of fun," said Officer Matt Beninger, who has been with the public safety department since 1973. "And it's for a great cause." During that evening alone, the public safety department collected $1,322 for the Special Olympics from tips and sale of T-shirts, according to Officer Ralph Chavez. Special envelopes were available at every table for the public to make contributions to the cause. Chavez explained that any amount over and above the regular tips were collected and donated to the cause. Michael Bunfill, general manager of the restaurant for a year, said that the evening went very well. Bunfill, who has been with the company for five years, said that he wanted to do the event in partnership with the Sunnyvale police officers to "help the kids out." "I have a niece who is handicapped, so it hits home with me," Bunfill said. It also doesn't hurt to get the name of the business out in the community by supporting a good cause, he added. After waiting tables on May 30, the officers participated in a related special law enforcement event the following afternoon. Approximately 10 Sunnyvale police officers and two athletes took part in a ceremonial carrying of the Special Olympics torch on May 31. Officers of the Santa Clara Police Department passed the torch to members of the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety at the intersection of El Camino Real and Halford Avenue around 2:30 p.m. on May 31. Sunnyvale officers then ran about four miles on El Camino Real and handed the torch over to the Mountain View Police Department at the intersection of El Camino Real and Bernardo Drive. The torch was headed north to Stockton, where the Special Olympics games were held from June 7 to 9. Capt. Byron Pipkin, public information officer for the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, said that two athletes ran with them for part of the way. "These two events are great ways for law enforcement to come together and show their support for Special Olympics," Chavez said. |
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