Chief Darin Schindler and officer Miguel Martinez greeting all. Photos by Richard Lieberman
by Richard Lieberman
The Ventura Police Department held an annual fundraiser Tip-A-Cop on Tuesday July 25. The annual event raises funds for local Special Olympics athletes. The event was held at Finney’s Craft House located at 494 E. Main St. Ventura.
Ventura police officers joined forces with Special Olympics athletes and Finney’s staff as guest servers. The participating officers waited on tables, mixed drinks at the bar and delivered lunch to guests at the outdoor patio. The officers collected donations from dining residents utilizing a donation envelope to diners upon checkout. The enveloped allow diners to donate directly to the Special Olympics.
The Ventura County Special Olympics offers services to children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities offering training and competition in year-round programs.
“Every year we do two events the Torch Run and the Tip- a- Cop fundraiser where we serve s servers to raise money for the Special Olympics, I have been involved in this charity event for at least the past twenty years,” said Chief of Ventura police Darin Schindler.
Ryan Reynosa a patrol sergeant with the Ventura Police department serving for the second time at this fundraiser said, “This is the second one I planned, and Finney’s is a great location for us giving us an opportunity to bring some vehicles and dogs to show the community and introduce them to some of the stuff we are up to,”
The event raised $5,150 in donations from diners during the four-hour duration of the event. Finney’s then kicked in with an additional 20% of proceeds for the four hours and raised the total to $6,675. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to support the Special Olympics of Ventura County and helps to support local athletes.
