LOS ANGELES, Feb. 21, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Diners at Hamburger Hamlet Restaurants in Southern California will enjoy an extra level of service on Thursday, February 24 when law enforcement officers serve as celebrity hosts and waiters to raise money for Special Olympics Southern California at Hamburger Hamlet's first ever "Tip-a-Cop" event. Tip-a-Cop is a fun and entertaining way to raise funds and build public awareness for Special Olympics Southern California. The public is invited to all Tip-a-Cops to have a good time and support a great cause by dining out and meeting their local law enforcement officers who will be serving meals throughout the evening. All tips are a tax-deductible donation to Special Olympics Southern California, which provides athletic training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Hamburger Hamlet Restaurants is excited about the new partnership with Special Olympics Southern California. "Hamburger Hamlet believes in supporting the community. This is a great opportunity to get involved with a wonderful organization and with the local law enforcement," said Steve Kelley, Vice President of Hamburger Hamlet Restaurants.
On February 24, please support Special Olympics Southern California by visiting any of the six Hamburger Hamlet locations hosting a Tip-a-Cop and enjoy a great meal with extra special service. The six Tip-a-Cop locations include: Brentwood, Hollywood, Pasadena, Sepulveda, Sherman-Oaks, and Sunset (visit their website at www.hamburgerhamlet.com for location details). Local law enforcement can be caught in action from 5pm to 9pm.
Tip-a-Cops are part of annual law enforcement fundraising for Special Olympics Southern California that culminate statewide with the Law Enforcement Torch Run(r). The actual run spans over 1,500 miles and will pass through more than 200 communities. The Torch Run is an annual event requiring the efforts of more than 4,000 runners to carry the Flame of Hope to Special Olympics Southern California's annual Summer Games Opening Ceremony on Friday, June 10, 2005.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run will begin its journey on Tuesday, May 31 at the U.S.-Mexico border and travel through San Diego County. On June 6, two additional runs will begin from Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo. All three legs will convene on June 10 at California State University Long Beach. A single torch will be carried into the Opening Ceremony, signifying the start of the 2005 Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games.
About Special Olympics Southern California
The mission of Special Olympics Southern California is to provide sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Southern California serves over 11,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in an eleven-county region of Southern California. The program offers sports training and competition in 23 individual and team sports on a year-round basis. Athletes range in age from eight to eighty. Special Olympics Southern California is one of 52 accredited Special Olympics entities operating in the United States. For more information, please visit www.sosc.org.