It was another awesome time at Helen’s Restaurant in Ellsworth during their annual “Tip a Cop” fundraiser!
Organized, once again, by our awesome School Resource Officer, Corporal Shawn Merchant, Helen’s and the Ellsworth Police Department raised about $2,500 in just two hours- with all proceeds going directly to Special Olympics Maine!
“I’ve been helping the Special Olympics since I got into law enforcement,” Cpl. Merchant says. “It’s something that is kind of a passion of mine- I took it over when I was in a different agency. The money we get goes right to the athletes, it’s a great cause. I run it, I take what’s gathered in a little bag, and I take it right to the bank and it goes right into the funds for the Special Olympics.”
It was a district-wide affair, too- as even a few of our HCTC Criminal Justice Students were on hand to help out! Shout out to Kiran Hanna and Kaylee Sanborn for stopping by and showing the older officers how it’s done!
Cpl. Merchant and a handful of other law enforcement personnel from Ellsworth and around the county traded in their badges and batons for bus boy buckets, menus, and more! The police-turned-waitstaff worked alongside Helen’s staff to serve their hungry customers for a few hours, collecting tips for a good cause- and a fun time was had by all!
“It’s awesome, we have a great time. With guys and girls that help out, we have our dispatchers come as well, it’s just a great time,” Cpl. Merchant says. “We laugh and joke with people, everyone is like, ‘Hey, what are you doing?’ Sometimes we have our guns on and badges, and we’re like, ‘What do you need? What do you want?’ It’s such a good time.”
Cpl. Merchant has been hosting charity events for Special Olympics Maine since he began his career. Aside from setting up the Tip a Cop fundraiser and other events throughout the year, he also serves as a Leg Leader for the Special Olympics- doing the ‘Torch Run’ from MDI to Bangor every year!
A huge thanks goes out to Cpl. Merchant, Kiran and Kaylee, Ellsworth Police, all of the other Hancock County law enforcement involved, and everyone at Helen’s for an amazing night for a great cause!