Police to Host Tip-A-Cop Special Olympics Fundraiser

Newark police will serve the community in a different capacity on their off time this Saturday.

Starting at 11 a.m., police officers will act as guest servers at Red Robin restaurant at the NewPark Mall. Red Robin is located at 1031 NewPark Mall in Newark.

Newark Police Department personnel will be making their appearance at the local restaurant as part of “Tip-A-Cop,” an event in which police officers and department employees volunteer time to take food and drink orders for tips.

All tips are then donated to the Special Olympics of Northern California.

People who would like to donate can dine at Red Robin between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. to tip police officers who help take food orders as part of the fundraiser.

It will be the first time since March 2011 that Newark police hosts a “Tip-A-Cop” event.

Last year, Newark police held a “Bag for Bucks” event in which police officers bagged groceries for Food Maxx customers. The event raised more than $2,000 for the Special Olympics Northern California's Summer Games.

The summer games are often held in late June at the University of California, Davis. According to its website, Special Olympics Northern California serves more than 13,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities. They compete in 12 different sports, including swimming, track and field, and basketball.

For more information, or to make a donation, contact Officer Jeff Saunders at (510) 578-4918 or jeff.saunders@newark.org.