AUBURN - Lt. John Mack of the Cayuga County Sheriff's Department promised he wouldn't be enforcing table manners at Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar in Auburn Wednesday night.

Local law enforcement officials joined the staff of Applebee's at the “Law and Orders” fundraiser to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics New York Inc. Restaurant patrons were asked to donate to the cause as officers waited and cleared tables. One hundred percent of each donation would be given to the state Special Olympics committee and Applebee's chipped in another 10 percent of the night's proceeds. More than 20 Applebee's locations across the state participated in the event.

With the largest number of Special Olympics athletes in the country, with more than 43,000, the committee for New York state raises money year-round to defer costs to athletes and their families. The money pays for training and transportation of athletes for each competition. This year, New York is sending 12 athletes to the Winter National games in Idaho.

“That's why we do the stuff we do,” said Mike Murray, a sergeant for the Department of Corrections and head of the state committee for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as he described the impact the contributions have on the athletes and their families.

Although Murray was only notified about the event on Monday, he was willing to make the best of quick preparations as he bustled around the dinning room greeting patrons and holding open doors.

Murray, while working in Auburn Correctional Facility, said he was basically dropped into the committee.

Since then, he and his son, Michael, have worked hard to keep up. Murray even attended the World Games in China last year, carrying the torch for 12 days and witnessing New York athletes bring home medals.

He and Michael have also jumped into frigid waters at the Polar Plunge, a fundraiser held several times a year.

Kevin Carlton, 26, of Weedsport, is a swimmer with the Special Olympics.

While dining with his parents, Dan and Julie, he described competing in the pool and his own experience at the Polar Plunge.

Carlton has been competing for more than 15 years. He competes in the freestyle, butterfly and breast stroke. His father, Dan, has been his coach, encouraging him from the start.

“It's quite rewarding,” he said.

Weedsport hosts 13 active swimmers for the Special Olympics, Dan said.

The committee raised $790,000 last year to send state athletes around the country to compete and qualify for international competitions.

Athletes train and compete in nine regions across the state.

Special Olympics New York offers a statewide, three-season program with more than 400 events annually.

Although he didn't have a goal in mind for the Applebee's fundraiser, Murray said, “We hope to hit the million dollar mark,” by September 2009.

Staff writer Beth Noyes can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 252 or beth.noyes@lee.net