SPECIAL ORDER SERVERS TO RAISE MONEY FOR DISABLED ATHLETES.

Byline: GIDEON RUBIN

Staff Writer

LANCASTER -- Law-enforcement officials rely on tips from the public every day in their crime-fighting efforts.

Later this week, they will need the public to help a local charity.

Officials from three agencies -- the Sheriff's Department, the California Highway Patrol and the state Department of Corrections -- will serve food at a Lancaster eatery to raise money for the Antelope Valley chapter of the Special Olympics.

All tip money raised during lunch (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and dinner (5 p.m to 9 p.m.) hours on Wednesday and Thursday at Marie Callender's will benefit local athletes with disabilities.

About 500 such athletes will compete June 9 in the 2007 High Desert Special Olympic Games at Antelope Valley College.

"It's fantastic," Antelope Valley Special Olympics fundraising coordinator Dawn Brooks said.

"It's a show of support from the community that's not just the family members. That they're giving their time for the kids that they don't have to.

"It's good P.R. for us and for them."

Brooks said her 11-year-old daughter, Kaylin, who suffers from Down syndrome, will compete in the Special Olympics for a fourth year. In past years, she said, Kaylin has given any medals she has won to law-enforcement officials in appreciation of their help putting on the games.

Athletes ages eight to 80 will compete in 10 different sports at the event, Dawn Brooks said.

"Kids love them," Brooks said. "When a police officer walks up to them and talks to them, their faces just light up."

Sheriff's deputies will serve food on Wednesday.

CHP and Corrections officers will serve on Thursday.

"Anytime we can help children, it's always going to be a worthy cause," CHP officer Henry Ross said. "I think it's good for the children, and it's good for the community."

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F.Y.I.

All tip money that law-enforcement officials raise while serving lunch (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and dinner (5 p.m to 9 p.m.) on Wednesday and Thursday at Marie Callender's in Lancaster will benefit local athletes with disabilities.

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Photo:

CHP Officers Henry Ross, from left, Victor Ruiz and Sandra Rockafellow, sheriff's Deputy Steven Pulley and Corrections Officer Glen Brazeal practice for this week's fundraiser at the Marie Callender's restaurant in Lancaster by serving to Kayley Brooks, 11, her mother, Special Olympics coach Dawn Brooks, and server Wendy Balke.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer

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F.Y.I. (see text)