Waiting Tables to Help Special Olympics

Farmington police officers and dispatchers donned aprons and got to work busing tables and delivering food at George's Pizza Monday night at the department's annual Tip A Cop fundraiser for Special Olympics.

The event is a favorite of the department, which does several events to benefit Special Olympics.

"It's part of giving back to the community and showing we care," said Chief Paul Melanson. "The owners here are great and and we get to interact with a lot of great people in a more positive setting that sometimes we get to."

Mike Boucher is a dispatcher who talks to residents every day but rarely gets to see them face to face.

"This gives us a chance to meet people in a good situation instead of your only experience being given a ticket or something tragic happens and they knock on your door to tell you about it," he said. "It's a great chance to give back."

Dan Widing is a special olympian from Avon. You'll rarely be at a Special Olympics event or fundraiser in the area without seeing his smile.

"I love playing basketball. It's a very nice sport. There are very nice people," he said, as he greeted people at George's. "We're doing this together and we're working hard."