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The Villages
Friday, March 29, 2024

Sumter County sheriff’s deputies wait tables for Special Olympics

Deputy Bill Rappleyea and Lisa Kleczkowski, a past Special Olympics athlete.
Deputy Bill Rappleyea and Lisa Kleczkowski, a past Special Olympics athlete.

Lisa Kleczkowski of The Villages is a past Special Olympics athlete and a regular at the Son Rise Cafe at Southern Trace shopping plaza.

She was thrilled to see Sumter County sheriff’s deputies acting as celebrity waiters and waitresses during the lunch shift Tuesday, raising money to support Special Olympics.

The fundraiser is called, Tip A Cop. Diners leave tips to support the Special Olympics program.

Deputy Bill Rappleyea was serving as her waiter.

“We love doing this. It’s a blast,” Rappleyea said.

Deputy Beatrice Ayala, a school resource officer at the Villages Charter School, said she had never worked as a waitress.

“I have a lot more respect for them now,” she joked.

SonRise owner Carol Laufersky said she was thrilled to have the celebrity wait staff working Tuesday.

“What I really like is that the money stays here locally,” Laufersky said.

If you missed Tuesday’s event, you have two more opportunities to join in Tip A Cop:

• Thursday, March 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at City Fire Grill – Lake Sumter Landing

• Tuesday, March 25 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at City Fire Grill – Brownwood

Diner Tom Barbera, who is visiting The Villages from Wisconsin, with Deputy Beatrice Ayala who served as his waitress.
Diner Tom Barbera, who is visiting The Villages from Wisconsin, with Deputy Beatrice Ayala who served as his waitress.
Michelle Keszey and Jeremy Williams of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office worked the reception table at Tip A Cop.
Michelle Keszey and Jeremy Williams of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office worked the reception table at Tip A Cop.
John O'Reilly Jr. Sue Farley Lori Frasier and Brian Farley were greeting guests at the door at SonRise Cafe.
John O’Reilly Jr., Sue Farley, Lori Frasier and Brian Farley, from left, were greeting guests at the door at SonRise Cafe.

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