Law enforcement personnel volunteer at local restaurants as “celebrity wait staff” and receive tips to raise funds for Special Olympics Minnesota.
How to plan a Tip-A-Cop
- Determine basic event information
- Confirm a local restaurant
- Determine a date and time
- Submit information to SOMN staff to create event flyer and press release
- Download Tip-A-Cop Event Introduction for Restaurant Managers (PDF)
- Recruit volunteers
- Recruit law enforcement “celebrity servers” – volunteers can be law enforcement officers and their friends and family!
- A total of 5-10 volunteers per shift is recommended
- Recruit customers
- Ask volunteers to spread the word throughout the community and to their friends and families
- Ask the restaurant to hang flyers and notify their customers of the upcoming event
- List the event in police agency bulletin boards and newsletters
- Contact your Public Information Officer in advance to ensure maximum media exposure
- Send a press release out to local media 2 weeks prior to the event
- Add the event to community calendars
- Send a media alert 2-3 days prior to the event
- Mention that in return for a donation of $20 or more, the donor will receive an LETR hat or shirt
- Raise funds!
- Work with SOMN to recruit athletes to be at the event
- Create a competition with other restaurants participating in Tip a Cop events in your area
- Enlist a high profile person (Chief, Sheriff, local celebrity, Special Olympics athlete, etc.) to be a greeter at the door to introduce customers to the event
- Plan a giveaway for people who leave large donations – Torch Run t-shirts, restaurant coupons or gift cards, etc.
- Contact local businesses to secure monetary or in-kind donations leading up to the event
The most important element is to HAVE FUN and remember the event is to support Special Olympics Minnesota!
Questions? Contact Emma Fiedler, Special Events Manager, at [email protected] or 763.270.7140.