Brad horn/Nevada appeal Carson City Sheriff's Deputy Don White helps Applebee's server Jennifer Phillips deliver food to Elizabeth Self, center, and Amber Elkjer, right, during the Tip-A-Cop Special Olympics fundraiser Wednesday.
Waiting tables for donations benefiting Special Olympics proved lucrative for Carson City and Douglas County cops during Wednesday's Tip-A-Cop fundraiser at Applebee's and Chili's.
"Other than the fun run on Nevada Day, we don't need any other fundraisers anymore - this one just does it for us," said Joan Wilkerson of the Carson City contingent of Special Olympics.
Across Nevada, law enforcement officers cleared tables, filled drink orders and chattered lightly with customers in the hopes that diners would stuff the Tip-A-Cop envelopes.
It worked.
Seven Douglas County deputies who worked the lunchtime rush at Chili's on Topsy Lane netted a whopping $2,202 in donations in three hours.
Five Carson City officers didn't pull as much cash. Wilkerson said the lunch total was $962. Wilkerson said the dinner totals from both Chili's and Applebee's won't be available until today.
Carson City Sheriff's Chief Deputy Steve Schuette took to the Applebee's floor with Detective Dena Lacy, and deputies Don White, Teri Parodi and Steve Olsen, trying their best to woo the customers.
Lacy didn't get rave reviews from two.
They complained of her delivery style, in which she sipped from a straw just before handing over the drink.
Of course, table guests Brian Humphrey and Cate Summers could have an ax to grind: They work with her in the detective division.
Veteran officer and sheriff's department supervisor, Schuette, might not want to give up his day job either.
He was busted for refilling plain iced teas with raspberry iced tea, and at least once he refilled a Sprite with water.
"Now if you think about it, does Sprite not look like water?" Schuette said in his defense.
Wilkerson said the money raised will go to all Special Olympiads throughout the state as well as sending Carson City athletes Brianne Melton, 18 and David Sorensen, 32, to the national games in Ames, Iowa.
On hand to help with the Tip-A-Cop event were athletes Melton, Chuck Fowler, Colleen Stainbrook, Scott Carter, Nick Denardo, Theresa Herrera and Heather Hopps.
Special Olympics Nevada provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Special Olympics Nevada currently serves 2,200 athletes. Programs are free to all athletes and their families.
-- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.