Lafayette officers raise more than $3K for Boys & Girls Club waiting tables at Deano's

Ashley White, Lafayette Daily Advertiser
·2 min read

Instead of seeing the normal wait staff taking orders and refilling drinks at Deano's Pizza on Bertrand Drive, Lafayette Police officers served customers.

The officers waited on patronsas part of the department's first Tip-a-Cop event. The tips the officers collected on April 13 were donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana.

SRO Officer Derrick Miles serves customers Wednesday as Lafayette Police Officers wait tables at Deano's Pizza, with tips going to Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadiana.
SRO Officer Derrick Miles serves customers Wednesday as Lafayette Police Officers wait tables at Deano's Pizza, with tips going to Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadiana.

"For us to be chosen to be the beneficiary of the first one, it just really speaks volumes to me that (the police department) sees the value in what we're trying to do for the kids," Club Director of Development Kate Labue said.

"It's wonderful to see the police force come behind us in saying they recognize that we do have value and that they understand that we're helping build tomorrow's leaders."

The department raised $3,423 for the club.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana, which has seven clubs in six parishes, focuses on academic success, healthy lifestyles and habits, and good character and leadership.

Lafayette Police Chief Monte Potier seats customers as the Lafayette Police Officers wait tables at Deano's Pizza, with tips going to Boys and Girls Clubs. Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana, which has seven clubs in six parishes, focuses on academic success, healthy lifestyles and habits, and good character and leadership.
Lafayette Police Chief Monte Potier seats customers as the Lafayette Police Officers wait tables at Deano's Pizza, with tips going to Boys and Girls Clubs. Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana, which has seven clubs in six parishes, focuses on academic success, healthy lifestyles and habits, and good character and leadership.

Children who attend the club are given meals and academic support. There are learning activities for things like STEM, art, dance and music. Club members also can participate in sports like basketball.

For older students, the club helps prepare them for career opportunities and facilitates college campus tours.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana offers after-school care from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. five days a week and also offers an 8-week summer program from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The programs cost $25 each.

Lafayette Police Officers wait tables Wednesday at Deano's Pizza, with tips going to Boys and Girls Clubs.
Lafayette Police Officers wait tables Wednesday at Deano's Pizza, with tips going to Boys and Girls Clubs.

The money raised from Tip-a-cop will help fund the Boys & Girls Club's programming and fill the operating costs gap beyond the membership fee.

"It's so wonderful for our kids to see the community support behind them," she said. "But more than that, it's wonderful for them to have good male and female role models that they can model themselves after."

Sgt. Robin Green, the Lafayette Police Department spokesperson who helped organize the night, said the department had a great time and hopes to continue Tip-a-Cop in the future.

Lafayette Police Chief Monte Potier talks with customers Wednesday as the Lafayette Police Officers wait tables at Deano's Pizza, with tips going to Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadiana.
Lafayette Police Chief Monte Potier talks with customers Wednesday as the Lafayette Police Officers wait tables at Deano's Pizza, with tips going to Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadiana.

Donations also can be made directly to the Boys & Girls Club of Acadiana.

Contact Ashley White at adwhite@theadvertiser.com or on Twitter @AshleyyDi.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Lafayette Police Tip-a-Cop at Deano's to benefit Boys and Girls Clubs