Celebrate birthdays with a serenade by school resource officers and hear SRO Dick Peach croon Elvis songs during the Special Olympics’ Wings and Rings benefit Tuesday, March 26 at Toot’s South.

Customers can enjoy the “good food and fun” at Toot’s from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on South Church Street while SROs sing, visit with customers and ask for donations for Special Olympics, said Special Olympics co-chair Lou Paschall. Envelopes for donations will be placed on each table.

“This would be a great excuse for an after-hours office get-together, a school gathering of teachers and families, a church social and a girls’ or guys’ night out,” Paschall said. “It’s a great opportunity to skip cooking and dishes and to contribute to a great cause.”

Co-chair John Harris said donations allow 350 intellectually disabled students from Rutherford County and Murfreesboro city schools and adult developmental centers to compete in the annual Special Olympics Track and Field meet April 11 at MTSU’s soccer field. Costs include bus transportation, lunches, rent for the track and ribbons for the athletes.

“Special Olympics creates an opportunity for individuals with disabilities to participate in the spring events and learn sportsmanship and values in team games,” Harris said. “I think that’s important in this day and time.”    

Bill McCrary, Toot’s director of operations, said the restaurant will offer a “Wings and Rings” special of 10 chicken wings or fingers and a half order of onion rings for $4.99. Toot’s will sell T-shirts with proceeds going to Special Olympics.

“We really appreciate being involved with Special Olympics,” McCrary said. “We’re hoping to reach our goal of over $8,000 this year.”

SRO Peach said the Wings and Rings event helps support athletes to compete and enjoy success.

“We will sing ‘Happy Birthday’ by request,” SRO Peach said. “If anybody’s an Elvis fan, we can do an individual concert. It’s an enjoyable time for everyone and you know you’ve done something for special folks.”

Harris said the contributions from Toot’s customers allow the athletes to compete in the sporting events.

Paschall and Harris thanked Toot’s, Sheriff Robert Arnold and the SROs and the community for their support of Special Olympics through the event.

“Toot’s is our hometown restaurant and one of the favorites for Special Olympians,” Paschall said. “Wings and Rings is a community effort. It makes me proud when these groups come together and it makes me proud to live in Rutherford County .”