Fairfield security officers were out in full force Saturday and raised over $2,000 for the Special Olympics of Connecticut by volunteering in a state-wide effort called Tip-a-Cop.
Six security officers spent their Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to noon outside two Fairfield Dunkin’ Donuts locations greeting customers and asking for donations to benefit the Special Olympics program.
“We have been involved for a long time with the Special Olympics,” said Todd Pelazza, director of security. “It’s (Tip-a-Cop) been going really well.”
Officers Melissa Vidiera and Dave Salthouse, along with dispatch operator Chuck Stine, who came straight from the night shift to volunteer, were stationed at the Dunkin Donuts on Post Road while Karen Panza, Danielle Visconte and Mike Lauzon helped out at the Tunxis Hill location.
A representative from the Special Olympics and an athlete were also on hand to raise money.
The money raised will go towards the Olympics, which will be held June 11-13th at Southern Connecticut State University.
“We used to host the games on the Fairfield campus until 1994,” said Pelazza. “The reason we had to stop was because of all the renovations and construction on campus.”
Even though the games have moved locations, this has not stopped security from maintaining a strong relationship with the Special Olympics program. In addition, they will also participate in the 19th annual Torch Run from June 9-11th.
As is done in the real Olympics, a fire is lit to signal the beginning of the games in the opening ceremonies. The torch will be carried through more than 100 Connecticut cities and towns on a 640 mile route.
“The Torch Run is a way for law enforcement officers to raise money for Special Olympics and it pairs officers with special athletes,” said Pelazza. “We will be responsible for Route 1 from Westport to Bridgeport on June 10th.”
The athletes and officers raise money by asking people to sponsor them for each mile they run or with a flat donation. This year, the Torch Run aims to raise over $320,000 and is the Special Olympics of Connecticut’s largest fundraiser ever undertaken to date.
Many students were pleasantly surprised to hear of campus security’s involvement in such a worthwhile cause and applauded their efforts.
“I did not know about the Tip-a-Cop, but I was very happy to see campus security out volunteering for such a wonderful cause,” said Tom Wilczieweksi ’04. “I would only hope that the relationship between Fairfield University and the Special Olympics stays strong and continues to grow.”
“It is a great organization for Fairfield to be affiliated with and students to get involved in,” he added.
Allie Schick agreed. “I think the Special Olympics is a fantastic way to get involved and help out,” she said. “I never knew security was involved in it but I think it’s great that they care so much about such a great cause.”
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