Full Notification

Tomorrow, Thursday, September 23, 2010, several Montgomery County Police Officers including Police Chief J. Thomas Manger are going to expand their service to the community by becoming Celebrity Waiters to raise funds for the Special Olympics program. The officers will team up with Special Olympic athletes to serve customers between 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. at Joe’s Crab Shack located at the Washingtonian Rio Center at 221 Rio Boulevard in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

This unique fundraiser is entitled “Tip-a-Cop” and is being held at Joe’s Crab Shack locations along the East Coast. The Gaithersburg restaurant is the only Joe’s Crab Shack in the state of Maryland. The officers will be in uniform and are volunteering their time to serve as waiters. All the tips they collect during their wait shifts will go to support Special Olympics. The donation tips will be collected in special envelopes, and can be paid in cash, check, or by credit card. When customers include a “Tip-a-Cop” coupon provided by an officer, with their bill, Joe’s Crab Shack will also donate 10% of that check to the Special Olympics organization. Officers will take wait shifts during the day and evening. Chief Manger will be working the lunch shift between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Special Olympics Maryland provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities at no cost to the athletes or their families. By participating in sports, physical fitness, and healthcare education programs, Special Olympics athletes increase self-confidence and social skills, improve physical and motor skills, and have better success in leading more productive and independent lives.

For approximately 25 years, Montgomery County Police have participated in a spring Torch Run that benefits Special Olympics. The Tip-a-Cop program is new this year as an additional fundraising opportunity.


***Members of the Media are invited to come early to cover this event to help publicize that it will be taking place throughout the day and evening.