Charles County’s Special Olympian Gets Sweet Support From Chick-fil-A

WALDORF, Md. — Charles County residents are rallying this week to support 76-year-old Special Olympics athlete Tim Gowan, as Chick-fil-A restaurants across the county host a “Cookies for a Purpose” fundraiser from Jan. 12–17.

Gowan, Maryland’s eldest Special Olympian, will represent the state in bowling at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, scheduled for June 20–26 in Minneapolis. The Games will bring together 4,000 athletes from all 50 states, along with 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers, and 75,000 fans.

As part of the fundraising campaign, all Chick-fil-A locations in Charles County are donating 50% of all Chocolate Chunk Cookie sales to help cover Gowan’s travel and competition expenses. Cookie options include singles, 6-packs, and trays of 12 or 24.

The community will also have a chance to meet Gowan in person during a Meet & Greet hosted at Chick-fil-A Waldorf (3365 Crain Hwy, Waldorf, MD 20603) on Tuesday, Jan. 13, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and at Chick-fil-A La Plata (107 Drury Dr, La Plata, MD 20646) on Friday, January 16, from 3 – 5 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to stop by any of these locations and support Gowan by purchasing cookies throughout the week.

“Tim is a great friend and supporter of our agency and Maryland’s eldest Special Olympian,” the La Plata Police Department shared on social media, encouraging residents to join the effort.

A longtime athlete with Special Olympics Maryland, Gowan continues to inspire the community through his dedication to inclusive sports and his competitive drive.

Residents can support his journey by purchasing cookies at any Charles County Chick-fil-A location through Jan. 17.

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