Sheriff's School Resource Officers will raise funds to send 38 Special Olympians to the state competition in May.

SROs will ask Toot's diners to donate for the Special Olympians during the Wings and Rings event from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 at Toot's on Northwest Broad Street. The event promises to serve up "good food and fun."

Area 16 Special Olympics coordinator Lou Paschall said the competition allows mentally challenged students an opportunity to compete in athletic events.

"We need help from the community to raise money for the entry fees and T-shirts for our Rutherford County group," Paschall said. "We appreciate the partnership with Toot's and the School Resource Officers Division of the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office."

Toot's will offer a special of 10 wings and a half-order of onion rings for $5.99 during the event.

General Manager Nick Hays said Toot's holds these events to support Rutherford County athletes.

These Special Olympians need financial support just like all other local athletes do and Toot's loves that the staff can help facilitate this sports competition, Hays said. Participation in competitive sports is an expensive endeavor for the athletes and their families.

"We hope these events are successful fundraising opportunities, and the funds raised can alleviate the financial burden these families might incur," Hays said. "We want to make sure these Special Olympians get their chance to compete, and that insufficient funding will not keep them from doing so.