For the last nine years, Special Olympics Montana athletes and law enforcement officials have teamed up to serve pizza and raise more than $140,000 for SOMT and the Law Enforcement Torch Run in the annual “Tip-a-Cop” fundraiser at MacKenzie River Pizza.
But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tip-A-Cop is going virtual.
For the month of August, guests at MacKenzie River will have the option to donate in-house at restaurants across the state or virtually on the MacKenzie River website or online ordering platform.
Also, two dollars from every special “Guardian Pizza” sold will be donated directly to Special Olympics Montana.
“Due to the pandemic, we’ve had to move Tip-A-Cop digitally,” said Jewel Sangrey, the brand ambassador for MacKenzie River. “But that’s actually good news for us, because now it lasts all month instead of just one day per year.”
Montana Highway Patrol trooper Jim Humiston has been involved with SOMT and LETR over the past several years and was thrilled that Tip-A-Cop was able to move forward in some fashion. “Athletes are still doing their things and we still need to support them,” Humiston said.
Because Tip-A-Cop is virtual this year, MacKenzie River is also starting a “Twist For Tips” challenge on social media platforms.
They’re challenging people to dance to the song “The Twist” by Chubby Checker and "Twist for Tips" to spread awareness of this fundraiser.
Steps for how to share:
· Take/Select a picture or video that shows you and/or a friend “twisting”
· *Suggestion - Play "The Twist" in the background of your video or add the song as a music widget while posting to story.
· Write a caption explaining that your "twisting" to help raise awareness for a Special Olympics Montana fundraiser.
· *Tag MacKenzie River and Special Olympics Montana.
· Tag some friends/businesses/organizations/coworkers challenging them to #TwistforTips and spread awareness for the effort.
· Post to social media!