CHP Officers Raise $58,000 for Widows and Orphans Fund
California Highway Patrol officers served lunch at a Bakersfield Outback Steakhouse to support families of fallen officers.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Philanthropy
California Highway Patrol officers raised just over $58,000 at a Bakersfield Outback Steakhouse luncheon on Wednesday. The donations will go to the CHP Widows and Orphans Fund in memory of officer Mark Ehly, who died in 2010 after suffering a stroke.
Why it matters
The Widows and Orphans Fund provides support to families of fallen CHP officers. The fundraiser marks 17 years of Tips for CHiPs events, which have raised a total of about $530,000 for the fund.
The luncheon raised just over $58,000, bringing the Tips for CHiPs total to about $530,000 across 17 years. The extraction does not specify how the proceeds compare with prior annual totals.
The players
California Highway Patrol
The state law enforcement agency that operates the Widows and Orphans Fund, which supports families of officers killed in the line of duty.
Mark Ehly
A CHP officer who died in 2010 after suffering a stroke, in whose memory this year's donations are being made.
The details
CHP officers parked their patrol cars and served lunch at an Outback Steakhouse in Bakersfield, welcoming members of the public who came to eat and support the cause. The fundraiser has been held for 17 years, and this year's donations are being given in memory of officer Mark Ehly.
Timeline
2010: Officer Mark Ehly died after suffering a stroke.
Past 17 years: CHP has held Tips for CHiPs fundraisers for the Widows and Orphans Fund.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Tips for CHiPs luncheon held at the Bakersfield Outback Steakhouse.
Culture Shift
The Tips for CHiPs luncheon has run for 17 years, with the Widows and Orphans Fund accumulating about $530,000 through the series. Its recurring format of officers serving meals at a local restaurant has become an annual community fixture in Bakersfield.
Residents who want to support the Widows and Orphans Fund can attend future Tips for CHiPs luncheons, which are open to the public. The fundraiser offers a direct, local way to contribute to families of fallen officers.
The takeaway
Local fundraisers like Tips for CHiPs show how recurring community events can sustain support funds over many years. Attending or donating to such events is one direct way residents can contribute.
Further reading
For more on local giving efforts, see Philanthropy coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KGET 17.
