TYLER, Texas — There wasn’t a frown in sight Thursday night at Texas Roadhouse, as law enforcement and Special Olympians came together to raise money for Special Olympics Texas.
The restaurant has done this for 16 years now and officers like James McCraw come back to be a part of it year after year.
"Introducing Caleb here, and they get to see Caleb as one of our local guys, and see, like I say see the medals that he likes to collect along the way. This allows them to get out and enjoy a sport and excel at it," McCraw said.
Throughout Texas Roadhouse’s 16 years running this event, they’ve raised almost $2 million for Special Olympics Texas, providing opportunities for these kids.
"Oh it’s just incredible because there’s not a whole lot of opportunity for Tyler and Whitehouse are for special needs to do that. So with the Special Olympics providing that and having that for us, it means a lot. It means everything for him actually because it makes him so happy," Cisti Graham, a Special Olympics parent, said.
Every dime donated at Tyler’s Texas Roadhouse will stay in the Rose City.
"Just to see how much the local community comes out and shows out for them with their donations, and supporting these athletes. All the money that is raised here in Tyler will stay local for Tyler athletes," said Jason Bothner, Tyler's managing partner of Texas Roadhouse.
This event is held for an organization that means so much to these families, but what means just as much is who’s here helping them spread the message: local police and firefighters.
"For them to do this in their spare time, and to support him and all the Special Olympics, just means so much, it means more than they’ll ever know," Graham said.
For the first responders though, they enjoy it just as much.
"Yeah, been fun huh. You got a bucket full of money don’t ya. Been good so far yeah, show him. Good deal," McCraw said.