State police to assist with Special Olympics fundraiser

GREENPORT — Area law enforcement will be taking restaurant orders Thursday to help support athletes participating in Special Olympics New York.

New York State Police from Columbia County will collect donations via tips between 5 and 8 p.m. Thursday at Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar at 420 Fairview Ave. as they greet and seat customers, bus tables and serve guests.

The event is part of Law and Orders — an annual fundraiser organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run Program, which helps benefit Special Olympics New York.

Law enforcement from more than 10 different departments will take part in the fundraiser at seven different Applebee’s locations in the Capital Region.

All of the money raised will go to the Special Olympics New York, which serves nearly 68,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities statewide.

More than 4,100 residents in the Capital Region take part in the annual event. The organization offers all of its programming, including year-round sports training and competition, at no cost to athletes, their families or caregivers.