Biscuits? Check. Sodas and serving trays? Check. A caring, compassionate and generous community? Triple check. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office had all the ingredients it needed when it joined forces with the Red Lobster restaurant in Waldorf to raise $5,642 for Special Olympics Maryland. The restaurant hosted the annual fundraiser — called Cops and Lobsters — April 24 and 25.
During the two-day event, Sheriff’s Office personnel volunteer to serve lunch and dinner at the restaurant and donate all their tips to Special Olympics Maryland. Patrons are also invited to buy T-shirts and hats for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Maryland, another annual fundraiser that raises money for the athletes while helping to pass their torch, the Flame of Hope, across Maryland before the Summer Games.
“We look forward to Cops and Lobsters each year. Our volunteers enjoy serving our community in a much different capacity than we typically do, and we raise money for a well-deserving organization in the process,” said Sheriff Rex Coffey. “We are so grateful to Red Lobster because without them, Cops and Lobsters wouldn’t be the success it’s been year after year.”
Special Olympics Maryland is a sports program for children and adults with disabilities. The Sheriff’s Office supports it through Cops and Lobsters, the Torch Run and other various fundraisers throughout the year. Last year, the Sheriff’s Office raised nearly $25,000 for the organization, the largest law enforcement donation in the state.
“These athletes might face challenges the rest of us don’t, but they possess an inner strength and courage many of us can only hope to one day find in ourselves,” said Sheriff Coffey. “The word ‘inspired’ is often overused but they truly are an inspiration to our community.”
For more information about the Sheriff’s Office’s community outreach activities, visit www.ccso.us. For more information about Special Olympics Maryland, visit www.somd.org.
