The area’s top police officers will be waiting tables March 21 for a good cause.

Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel and the police chiefs from Shelby Township, Sterling Heights and Utica will be participating in a special fund-raiser for the Drug Abuse Resistance Awareness program at Filippa’s Wine Barrel, 45125 Mound Road, at M-59.

From 4 to 9 p.m., the men will take orders and serve food, with 20 percent of the proceeds benefiting the D.A.R.E. program.

“It’s for a good cause,” said Utica Police Chief Michael Reaves. “I am happy to do it, to serve the community-no pun intended. I can wash dishes and wait on tables and I hope people turn out to support the program.”

Shelby Township Chief Robert Leman said that he has some restaurant experience, but in a much different setting.

“I worked at a McDonald’s restaurant as a counterperson in my early years of high school,” he said. “I never have participated in a fund-raiser like this, so it should be interesting. Obviously it’s for an excellent cause.”

Chief Barnett Jones from Sterling Heights said that the fundraiser is a great event. A similar fundraiser was held recently at another Sterling Heights restaurant.

ìWeíre going to have fun,î he said, with a chuckle. ìIt makes me remember why I didnít like that line of work the first time, but it helps you respect the people who wait on you when you go into a restaurant.î

Filippa’s and its general manager, Neil Cooley, have been major supporters of the D.A.R.E. program in the past several years, sponsoring an annual golf outing that has generated a large amount of operating income for the program.

“We appreciate Neil and Filippa’s and their continued support of the D.A.R.E. program,” Reaves said. “With the budget cutbacks we have been experiencing, it makes it difficult, but the business community has stepped up to help us.”

To make reservations, call 254-1311.