Grimaldi's Pizzeria Hosts Tip-A-Cop Fundraiser

Restaurant and local law enforcement officers raise funds for Special Olympics Florida

Some of Tampa Bay's finest law enforcement officers will protect and serve in an entirely different way as they help wait tables for tips during Grimaldi's Pizzeria's inaugural Tip-A-Cop event on April 5, 2014 from 1pm-4pm. Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida.

Grimaldi's Tip-A-Cop event will take place at all three Tampa Bay locations: WestShore Plaza and Citrus Park Mall in Tampa; and Countryside Mall in Clearwater.

Representatives from Tampa PD, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and Florida Department of Corrections will help serve guests as celebrity waiters during the three-hour fundraiser. Guests are encouraged to leave an additional "tip" for the officers as a donation to Special Olympics Florida. All funds raised will go directly to local programs and send area athletes to the Special Olympics Florida Summer Games.

Tip-A-Cop is part of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) campaign, the largest global grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics. More than 5,000 Florida law enforcement officers help raise money for the organization each year. The 2014 LETR will travel through Pinellas and Hillsborough counties on April 15 - 16.

"We're excited to join with area law enforcement officers for this incredible event," said John Boinis, Florida Area Manager. "Our local officers and deputies volunteer their time to raise funds for Special Olympics Florida and we are confident that our customers will be generous in supporting this worthwhile effort."

About Grimaldi's Pizzeria:
In the world of pizza, Grimaldi's is an institution that has garnered more awards than any other pizzeria in the country with more celebrity sightings than most 5-star restaurants. Using only the freshest ingredients, a "secret recipe" pizza sauce, handmade mozzarella cheese and dough, Grimaldi's serves traditional pizza (as it began in Naples, Italy) in an upscale yet casual, family oriented pizzeria. The intense heat of the oven evenly bakes the pies to create Grimaldi's famous crispy and smoky thin crust that Zagat has voted best pizza year after year. For more information on Grimaldi's Pizzeria visit www.grimaldispizzeria.com.


About Special Olympics Florida:
Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training and competition to 15,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities, at no cost to the athlete or their caregiver, as a means to achieve physical fitness, self-esteem, socialization skills, and the life skills necessary to be a productive, respected and contributing members of their communities. For more information visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org

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