MONROE, CT — Off duty Monroe police officers refilled patrons’ glasses of water, while assisting the waitstaff at Jennie’s Pizzeria during their annual Tip-A-Cop fundraiser for Special Olympics Connecticut at the restaurant at 380 Monroe Turnpike Wednesday night.
Monroe Police Sgt. Todd Keeping, who is in charge of organizing his department’s fundraising efforts, said about a dozen officers participated, with several bringing their children to help.
“I think we’ll do a little bit better than last year,” Keeping said, adding around $30,000 was raised through Monroe officers’ events.
The main one is the Penguin Plunge, in which participants raise money through sponsorships before running into the frigid waters of Great Hollow Lake at Wolfe Park. A group of Special Olympic athletes always runs into the water first.
Monroe joins other departments in its participation in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run and the MPD held two car shows this year.
The second car show, which was also a Trunk-or-Treat with a Halloween theme and costume contest, raised close to $5,000 for the Special Olympics, according to Keeping.
In a friendly competition among area police departments, Special Olympics Connecticut always recognizes the department that raised the most money during its kick-off event for the following year, which will be held in February.
The Monroe Police Department’s officers finished in first place two years ago, before being surpassed by Branford and Brookfield last year.
“It’s all just for fun,” Keeping said, adding the primary goal of Monroe’s officers is to support Special Olympics Connecticut and its athletes.
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