ORANGE PARK – There was a considerable show of force at Texas Roadhouse from April 16-18 as deputies with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Orange Park Police Department served water, bread, soft drinks and iced tea during the annual Tip-A-Cop fundraiser.

The three-day haul amounted to a record $14,763.

“We were more than pleased,” said Law Enforcement Torch Run Coordinator Zachary Cox. “Every year, we get more and more donations. The goal is, obviously, to beat the previous year’s number. We did that, and more, with this year’s Tip-A-Cop. The Clay County community and our citizens are super-generous and have a giving heart.”

Law enforcement officials and Clay County Special Olympics athletes greeted guests as they entered the busy steakhouse. They solicited extra “tips” to send athletes to the Florida State Games from May 14 to 18 by helping servers with their duties. Money donated to Tip-A-Cop was separate from tips left for servers.

A year ago, they earned $13,492 in tips.

“All of our athletes, especially the ones who were there and were helping us out, carrying bread and opening the door when they came in to check in with the hostess  – that’s their Super Bowl. They love it.

“All the customers at the restaurant loved interacting with them and hearing their story. It really meant a lot.”

Cox said the reason for the three primary fundraising events is so the athletes “have fun.”

The other events will be the Torch Run on May 2 and another Tip-A-Cop event at the Longhorn Steakhouse on Fleming Island in the fall.

The Torch Run will start from the Hibernia Publix at 9 a.m. Even so, all participants must park at the Plantation Sports Complex at 321 Old Hard Road before 8:30 a.m. to purchase a Torch Run T-shirt (cotton shirts are $20; Dry-Fit shirts are $25) and sign a participation waiver. Then, they will be shuttled to Publix for the run, including bicycles and walkers.

The route will include leaving Publix, crossing U.S. Highway 17, going north on the Black Creek bike trail and turning west on Village Square Parkway. The route will then move south on Town Center Boulevard and make a right turn on Old Hard Road before entering the Plantation Sports Complex, where supporters and a group of food vendors will greet them.

Anyone who parks at Publix won’t have a ride from Plantation Sports Complex back to the grocery store after the run.