San Jacinto College police officers who participated in the Tip-a-Cop fundraiser are shown in the back row, center (left to right): Jose Pulido, David Gardner, Police Chief Bill Taylor, Dan Masera, Matthew Amador, and Federico Cruz. Also in the back row are Pasadena Texas Roadhouse employees (left to right wearing LETR shirts) Pedro Benitez, Oscar Herrera, Anthony Russo, and Bryce Melinder. Other Roadhouse employees who participated are shown in the front row (wearing dark shirts, left to right): Ashley Hendrick, Katylyn Kashinski, and Britney Dear. Special Olympic Texas athletes (shown seated in the front row, left to right in light T-shirts) included Aaron Whiteside, Brandon Rodriguez, Kelli Fullerton, and Tristan Martinez. Submitted photo by Bruce Sims.

Officers help set fundraising record to support Special Olympics

Rob Vanya, August 23, 2012

PASADENA, Texas — San Jacinto College police officers contributed to a worthy cause by helping out in a record-setting fundraiser to support Special Olympics Texas.

San Jacinto College Police Chief Bill Taylor, along with campus officers Jose Pulido, David Gardner, Dan Masera, Matthew Amador, and Federico Cruz participated in the recent “Tip-a-Cop” drive held at the Pasadena Texas Roadhouse. With help from Special Olympics athletes and Texas Roadhouse employees, the Tip-a-Cop effort raised $3,050 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on a recent Thursday night.

Tip-a-Cop is part of the larger Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) fundraising campaign, which supports a variety of Special Olympics programs and activities. LETR volunteers more than doubled their targeted goal. “Because of the dedication and hard work of all who helped in the Tip-a-Cop effort, it was a record-setting success,” commented Judy Luquette, Texas Special Olympics Torch Run development director. “Our statewide goal was $30,000, but because of their efforts we far surpassed that target and brought in $67,721.”

Another police fundraising drive affiliated with LETR is “Over the Edge,” in which officers rappel from tall buildings. Others are “Polar Plunge,” in which officers jump into cold water, and “Airplane, or Fire Truck Pulls,” in which teams compete against other teams.

All of the separate fundraising drives will culminate on Memorial Day weekend when police officers from all over Texas will run to Arlington, where the Texas Special Olympics Summer Games will be held at the University of Texas at Arlington. At a designated time, officers will run into a stadium and present their fundraising checks to Special Olympics representatives.

The Tip-a-cop drive was the first time for San Jacinto College police officers to participate in a Special Olympics LETR event, but it probably will not be the last. “We are considering participating in the upcoming ‘Over the Edge’ fundraiser in the fall,” commented Chief Taylor. “We already have several police officers who want to volunteer. We will need to raise $1,000 per officer.”

Taylor said the officers were happy to lend a hand in the worthy cause. “Our officers really enjoyed meeting and working with the Special Olympics athletes to raise money for Special Olympics,” he said. “We look forward to participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run in the Summer Games at the University of Texas at Arlington.”  

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

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