Well, we have now entered a new year and look forward to seeing what it will bring.  We will continue to make every effort to improve the Sheriff’s Office and provide even better service to the public.  Rather than speak about Sheriff’s Office activities and issues, I wanted to take the opportunity with this news letter to promote a fundraiser that the Sheriff’s Office is coordinating next week on behalf of Special Olympics of Arkansas.

I know in the past that you’re heard me talk about our involvement in the Law Enforcement Torch Run and the Polar Bear Plunge, which are Special Olympics fundraisers that we’ve participated in for several years.  Next week, we will give something new a try.  Thanks to Mr. Ron Caster, the owner of Colton’s Steakhouse in Mountain Home, the Sheriff’s Office and MHPD will be holding a “TIP-A-COP” fundraising event for Special Olympics .  These are held throughout many areas of Arkansas and throughout the country each year, but I don’t believe that we’ve ever done this before in Mountain Home.  Lt. Sam Seamans of MHPD, Treva Chouinard – Area Representative of Special Olympics of Arkansas, and I approached Mr. Caster last year about the possibility of holding a Tip-A-Cop fundraiser at Colton’s.  Mr. Caster was immediately open and supportive of the idea, and a date was finally selected.  The date chosen is Thursday, January 14^th from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Colton’s Restaurant.

So, what exactly is “TIP-A-COP”?  Basically, Tip-A-Cop is an ancillary part of the world wide Law Enforcement Torch Run program.  Officers partner with area restaurants to hold these Special Olympics Fundraisers on specific dates, hosted by one or more area restaurants.  Officers are paired with restaurant servers to help meet and greet customers, help take and deliver drink and food orders, and to interact and mingle with restaurant guests.  Customers are encouraged to “tip the cop” for their service in the form of a tax deductible donation, 100% of which will go to the Special Olympics of Arkansas Program, in addition to the customary tip left for the restaurant’s server for his or her service.  The officers donate their time for this very worthy cause and expect nothing for themselves in return.  Special Olympics depends on income from various fundraisers to provide the many services it does to our Special Olympics Athletes.  These include all the many travel, transportation, and lodging costs associated with the sports training and competition events held annually in more than 170 countries for people with intellectual disabilities.  More than 3.1 million athletes of all ages are involved in these Special Olympics programs.  The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office is very proud to be able to play a small part in promoting Special Olympics and providing opportunities for the athletes to train, compete, have fun, and become productive and respected members of society. 

I invite and encourage everyone to come join us at Colton’s on the evening of January 14^th, have a fun time and a great meal, and show your support for Special Olympics by tipping the cop in the form of a donation, all of which will go to support the programs of Special Olympics of Arkansas.

 As always, I extend best wishes and regards to all.

Capt. Jeff Lewis,
Chief Deputy

Tip-A-Cop announcement - Colton's Restaurant