Special Olympics Maine recently recognized Det. Richard Alexander of the Damariscotta Police Dept. for his “support and dedication to” the non-profit organization.
Bangor Police Chief Ron Gastia presented the Maine Law Enforcement Torch Run Unsung Hero Award to Alexander on March 24 at the 2011 Torch Run Kick Off Conference in South Portland.
The plaque honors Alexander “for continuously going above and beyond the call of duty with your support and dedication to Special Olympics Maine and the Maine Law Enforcement Torch Run.”
“Although your work has often been behind the scenes, your efforts have not gone unnoticed,” the plaque reads.
Alexander began volunteering with the organization in 1999, at the invitation of his brother, Ian Alexander of the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office.
In ensuing years, Alexander has participated in fundraising events including car washes, “tip-a-cop” events and Irving Days.
For Irving Days, officers go to local Irving stations and pump gas. The stations, in turn, donate a percentage of proceeds to Special Olympics Maine.
At “tip-a-cop” events, police officers wait tables and donate their tips to Special Olympics Maine. At a March 26 tip-a-cop event at Red Robin in Augusta, Alexander and representatives from several other law enforcement agencies, including the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Waldoboro Police Dept., brought in over $2000.
Alexander met his wife, Kathleen of Kat’s Kart, while working a tip-a-cop event at Ye Olde English Fish & Chip Shoppe in Brunswick.
Alexander calls Special Olympics Maine a “great” cause. “A lot of people benefit from it,” he said.
Alexander hopes to expand the local fundraising effort this summer with a hot dog eating contest featuring competitors from every law enforcement agency in Lincoln County. Kat’s Kart will donate hot dogs and buns for the event, Alexander said.
Alexander’s fellow Damariscotta Police Dept. officer Aaron Beck is also a Special Olympics Maine volunteer.
According to the Special Olympics Maine website (www.specialolympicsmaine.org) the Law Enforcement Torch Run, the organization’s “largest grassroots fundraiser,” has brought in over $1 million to date.
The mission of Special Olympics, according to the website, “is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.”
