By Chris Rhatigan, Register correspondent

MILFORD — A group of local police officers will hold a fundraiser to benefit the Special Olympics this evening at Buffalo Wild Wings, including a wing-eating contest between local high school students.

Police officer and organizer Jeff Nielsen said about a dozen officers participate in the event, which usually generates more than $1,000.

“We’re trying to raise the awareness level of the community and the younger generation,” he said.

The officers will assist with wait staff at the restaurant. All tip money will be donated to the Special Olympics.

The event will include a wing-eating faceoff between Joseph Foran and Jonathan Law high schools’ football and powder puff teams. The contest will be at 8:30 p.m.

“Special Olympics and law enforcement have a partnership that goes back many years,” Nielsen said.

Each year, the Law Enforcement Torch Run brings together a total of 1,500 law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes. In 2009, the run covered more than 539 miles through 100 cities and towns throughout the state.

Debbie Horne, development director for Special Olympics Connecticut Southwest Region, said police officers from around the area are very generous with their time.

“The officers really go above and beyond considering what they give every day through doing their job,” she said.

Horne said more than 2,000 athletes, 800 volunteers and 500 coaches will participate in a series of Special Olympics events around the state this weekend. One of those events will be bowling at AMF Milford Lanes starting at 9 a.m. Saturday. Continued...

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More than 6,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities participate in 50 Special Olympics competitions held annually. For more information, go to www.soct.org.

The Tip-A-Cop fundraiser will be from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Buffalo Wild Wings in the Westfield Connecticut Post mall. For more information, call 203-877-9453.

Chris Rhatigan can be reached at chris.rhatigan@gmail.com.

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