Pictured are those who took part in Thursday evening’s Law and Orders event at Applebee’s in Lakewood. The annual event, held at locations across the state, aids Special Olympics New York. Officers from local police departments partnered with athletes to take orders and serve patrons at the restaurant. P-J photo by Carly Gould

LAKEWOOD —  Law enforcement officers across New York state gathered Thursday night to help raise funds for Special Olympics New York as part of its annual Law and Orders event.

Locally, officials from local police departments partnered with Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar in Lakewood. The police departments also participate in a torch run in May as part of the fundraiser.

“Niagara Falls has a big event (for the run),” said Capt. Robert Samuelson of the Jamestown Police Department. “We actually run across the bridge to meet the Canadians on the other side. It’s kind of a big deal. And the whole goal is to raise money for the athletes. I enjoy doing it and am usually at every event.”

Samuelson said this was his sixth year doing the Law and Orders event.

Some of the other fundraising events for the Special Olympics New York are the Buffalo Polar Plunge on Dec. 7 at Woodlawn Beach State Park and the Buffalo Snow Bowl on March 21, 2020. There are over 50 events throughout the year; all of the money raised goes back to helping athletes with special needs.

For more information on the Special Olympics, visit SpecialOlympicsNY.org, its official Facebook page or its Twitter page @SpecOlympicsNY.