April 25, 2024

Special Olympics partners with Culver’s, law enforcement for fundraiser

ButterBugers & Badges

By Mike Mendenhall

It’s becoming a tradition for Special Olympics Iowa to partner with local law enforcement agencies to raise money for the nonprofit’s athletic events. On Thursday, SOI will partner with Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Newton Correctional Facility, Newton Culver’s and 30 other Iowa locations in its inaugural ButterBurger & Badges fundraiser. (Submitted Photo)

Every summer, Jasper County Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Aldrich gets to take a quick detour from his work in law enforcement and put his badge to use in a different kind of public service.

Aldrich, and other local law enforcement, always take one day in the summer for the Special Olympics of Iowa Torch Run, jogging, walking and guiding special athletes in a ceremony that celebrates the equality in Newton and the Jasper County community.

“It’s an amazing experience,” Aldrich said. “There are so many Special Olympians in our community who may go unnoticed by some. By partnering with Special Olympics, we can bring them to light and show what they’re capable of.”

For Aldrich and other local law enforcement, a Culver’s burger basket and concrete mixer are providing them a second chance this summer to give back.

Newton Culver’s is joining 29 other members of its Iowa franchise locations to partner with Special Olympics of Iowa, Jasper County corrections and law enforcement officers for the inaugural ButterBurges & Badges fundraiser to benefit SOI programs.

The fundraiser partners SOI with participating Culver’s statewide. In Newton, officers from the Newton Correctional Facility and deputies from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office will help serve food, bus tables and collect donations for Special Olympics of Iowa from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday. According to SOI, $1 from each concrete mixer sold on that day will also be donated to Special Olympics.

Canisters will also be at certain stores throughout the month of August to help collect donations.

This is the first year Special Olympics of Iowa has partnered with Culver’s for an event. Rachel Bosworth, SOI’s Law Enforcement Torch Run marketing and event manager, said Special Olympics has been holding Butter Burger & Badges fundraisers in Illinois for nearly six years.

“We have a great relationship with law enforcement doing polar plunges and Cops on a Rooftop (with Dunkin’ Donuts),” she said. “It’s a big year. It’s our 50th anniversary, so we’re really trying to make our fundraising goal.”

Since this is the first year for ButterBurgers & Badges, Bosworth said SOI has a target to raise $7,000 or more between all participating Culver’s. Despite the modest expectations, partnering with law enforcement has brought big dollars to Special Olympics. According to Bosworth, fundraisers partnered with Iowa law enforcement officers raised a total of $900,000 in 2017, and much of that money goes straight to support the athletes.

For people who cannot make Thursday's Culver's event, you can make a donation to Special Olympics of Iowa online at soiowa.org and click on the "donate" button. Volunteer information is also available on the website.

Contact Mike Mendenhall at 641-792-3141 ext. 6530 or mmendenhall@newtondailynews.com