Savor chicken wings and support the rings of Special Olympians during the Wings and Rings fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Toot’s restaurant on South Church Street .
Sheriff Robert Arnold and School Resource Officers will join Toot’s waiters in serving customers who are asked to leave a donation for the Special Olympians who have intellectual disabilities.
Donations will pay for transportation, lunch and ribbons for about 350 Special Olympians from Rutherford County and Murfreesboro schools and other schools in the county to compete in the annual Area 16 Special Olympics Track and Field Meet beginning at 10 a.m. April 11 at MTSU’s soccer field.
Lou Paschall, who coordinates Special Olympics, said Wings and Rings is a fun fundraiser where families, friends, teachers, social workers and co-workers enjoy a meal together and support Special Olympians.
“You join us at Toot's, purchase your meal, including tipping your server, and enjoy seeing lots of folks you know, the Toot's atmosphere and family friendly entertainment provided by the SROs,” Paschall said. “The SROs will assist in the serving with the Toot's staff in addition to singing and telling jokes. Each table will have an envelope for any contributions diners would like to make.”
SRO Dick Peach of Smyrna Elementary and Smyrna Primary will lead the songs.
“For any Elvis fans present, will we do an Elvis number for them,” Peach said. “We’re going to sing Happy Birthday or even Happy Anniversary to patrols who have had recent birthdays or anniversaries.”
Sheriff Arnold and the SROs appreciate any donations to help the Special Olympians.
“We appreciate Toot’s owner Wade Hays and the Toot’s employees for their support of Special Olympics,” Peach said.
To kick off the Special Olympics competition, Peach, SROs and high school athletes will carry the Special Olympics torch from Central Magnet School at 9:20 a.m. to the MTSU soccer stadium.
“We will pass the baton on to the Special Olympics athletes and encourage them as they begin their competition,” Peach said.
Paschall said the games will begin at 10:30 a.m. and should finish by 1 p.m. Community residents are invited to attend the free games.
Some of the athletes will advance to the state Special Olympics games.
If people can’t make the Wings and Rings fundraiser Thursday, they may support another Wings and Rings event with Sheriff Arnold and SROs from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 8 at Toot’s on Northwest Broad Street . Proceeds will pay for the Special Olympians to compete in the state games.