Diners, Volunteers in Southeast Raise Hundreds of Dollars for Special Olympics

For some law enforcement officials—including Carmel resident Henry Primus, a retired New York City Police Department detective—the job is often a thankless one.

But fundraising events like the one Applebees in Southeast hosted Thursday night make up for it, Primus and fellow volunteers told Patch. For the fifth consecutive year, members of the Carmel-based Stephen P. Driscoll Memorial Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police helped the waitstaff serve customers dinner Thursday evening. Diners were notified that tips would benefit Special Olympics New York. 

"The thanks we get from the Special Olympians renews our spirits," Primus said.

In total, nearly a dozen volunteers—most of whom live in Putnam or Dutchess, and make it a point to attend every year—pitched in and raised about $515. Volunteers included a Special Olympian, a Special Olympics coach, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, a retired New York State trooper, family members and more.

Joe Gervasi, Sr., a Carmel resident and retired member of the NYPD, was there with his son, Tom Gervasi, also a retired member the force, and his grandson Joe Gervasi, Jr., a Carmel High School student. He said the three of them "do it for the kids."

"We like to help," Joe Gervasi, Sr. said.

And their help doesn't go unrecognized. Poughkeepie resident Rick Miller, 33, said he participated because he likes meeting new people—which is easy to do when you're busing tables, delivering food and greeting diners. Miller is set to participate in the games this fall, which are scheduled for Oct. 19 and 20 in Glens Falls. He's most looking forward to the bowling competitions.

"You've got people who don't know a lot of these athletes going out of their way to help," Marianne Miller, Rick's mother and a Special Olympics coach, said. "It's just a great feeling."

That great feeling is what keeps law enforcement officials, in Putnam and beyond, focused on giving back to the Special Olympics all year long. They do so through participation in events like the Polar Plunge and the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as well as smaller fundraisers, like this week's in Southeast.

For Stuart Davis, marketing coordinator for Applebees, the event is especially rewarding when a diner who has never met a Special Olympian makes a connection with one of the athletes. 

"It's a real feeling of being involved," he said. "For us, it's a great way to help the community. It's a lot of fun, it helps the restaurant, it helps out the Special Olympians, and our customers love it."