Idaho Falls community helps cops support Special Olympics

Diners at Red Robin in Idaho Falls got a little more than their meals Saturday afternoon.

“Tip-A-Cop” started its fundraiser, which means officers helped the wait staff serve and whatever tips came their way went directly to raise money for the Special Olympics of Idaho.

“We’re here as a tip-a-cop and we’re taking donations to help athletes get to their summer games or winter games,” said Bingham County Deputy Jeffery Boyd.

Officers from Bonneville and Bingham County and even members of the Ammon Fire Department helped out the servers at the Red Robin in Idaho Falls, to raise money and awareness for the special olympics program.

“The guests love it. They love that the cops have to serve them, instead of giving them speeding tickets and whatnot, so it’s actually pretty fun,” said Stefanie Hoffman, server.

Customers could leave tips for both the server and for the cops and at the end of the day, all of the tips for the cops goes to the Special Olympics of Idaho.

“We’re helping bus tables, serve tables, fill drinks, pretty much anything we can do,” said Boyd. “We’re just trying to be as helpful as we can and get as many donations as we can for the athletes.”

The cops said the Special Olympics have been going on since 1965 and they’ve been dedicated to fundraising for them since since 1985.

“If anybody is watching and they’re hungry, come on down because we’ll be happy to help serve them,” said Boyd.

There will be even more officers at Red Robin Saturday night; the fundraiser runs until 8 p.m.

The “Tip-A-Cop” fundraiser was held at all Red Robin restaurants across the state.