Behind the Badge
Leslie Collier and her family drove 90 minutes from Rancho Santa Margarita to Garden Grove on Thursday (traffic was bad) to enjoy dinner at Red Robin, usually something they would never do (there are many closer options).
But this evening was special: the Garden Grove PD’s annual “Tip a Cop” fundraiser for the Special Olympics.
“We love this, and we’re really excited to be here,” said Collier, whose family is friends with GGPD Officer Sean Gleason.
With the moral support of Garden Grove PD Cadet Michele Estrada, left, Nathan, a Special Olympics athlete, center, introduces himself to Mike Garrett during the Tip a Cop charity event at a Red Robin restaurant to raise money for the Special Olympics.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“We’re excited to support the police,” Collier said. “We love that our police do good things and are involved in the community by helping organizations like the Special Olympics.”
Collier went to the Oct. 20 event, at the Red Robin on Harbor Boulevard at Chapman Avenue in Garden Grove, with her husband, David, four children and her sister, Rachel Anderson.
The family drove far, but didn’t travel nearly as far as Marielle and her family, who are from Oregon and were in town to visit Disneyland.
Garden Grove PD Officer Sean Gleason helps 3-year-old Emerson Collier of Rancho Santa Margarita with his coloring during the Tip a Cop charity event.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“They (GGPD officers) were very kind, and it was a blessing that they were here tonight,” said Marielle. “We are big supporters of the Special Olympics.”
One-hundred percent of the tips patrons gave to GGPD officers, who helped take orders and deliver food, went to the Special Olympics.
The GGPD raised $2,925 at this year’s Tip a Cop fundraiser, Officer Nick Jensen said.
“We generally raise about $3,000 each year,” Jensen said. “It’s our small way of supporting such a great non-profit that does such good not just in our community but throughout the country.”
Steven Georges contributed to this story
Garden Grove PD Officer Sean Gleason helps 3-year-old Emerson Collier of Rancho Santa Margarita with his coloring as mom takes a photograph.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Garden Grove PD Cadet Michele Estrada gets a soda ready to serve.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Garden Grove Police Chief Todd Elgin talks to Clint Tucker, left, and Randy Tucker at the fundraiser.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Garden Grove PD Officer John Yergler talks to a couple about the Tip a Cop charity event at the Red Robin restaurant in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Clarissa Felix of Lake Elsinore gets her lemonade from Garden Grove PD Cadet Michele Estrada as Garden Grove Police officers raise money for the Special Olympics.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Garden Grove PD Det. Lea Kovacs gives police badge stickers to Jackson Arrieta, 7, and his sister Jenna, 12, of Phoenix during the Tip a Cop charity fundraiser. Their parents, Joseph and Jayme Arrieta, are on the right.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
