Police Officers To Stake Out Dunkin' Donuts Rooftops for Charity

Last year, Lake in the Hills Police Department officers perched themselves on the rooftop of the to raise funds and awareness for the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting Special Olympics.

On Friday, they will do the same. As will hundreds of law enfocement officers from across the state. 

LITH officers will be on the rooftop of Dunkin' Donuts from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and are encouraging people to stop by to donate to Special Olympics Illinois.

Last year, raised $2,000 and Chris Miller, police officer for the Lake in the Hills Police Department, hopes this year they will surpass that goal. 

In addition to the Lake in the Hills Dunkin' Donuts, officers will climb atop the following local Dunkin’ Donuts locations:

• Crystal Lake Police Department, 4817 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake
• Cary Police Department, 630 Northwest Highway, Cary
• Huntley Police Department, 12090 Princeton Drive, Huntley
• Algonquin and Island Lake police departments, 510 Auburn Drive in Island Lake

Cop on a Rooftop Fundraiser

For the 10th year in a row, police officers are scheduled to cover 129 Dunkin’ Donuts rooftops to heighten awareness and raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which benefits Special Olympics Illinois.

”We set records every year with the event, and we have high expectations for this year,” said Illinois Torch Run Director Eric Smith, Chief of Police for Sherman.

“The story speaks for itself,” he said. “It’s about good and dedicated police officers working to support Special Olympics athletes and their families. And it’s about the average Joes donating change from their morning ioe to help the cause.”

This year, officers hope to surpass last year’s total of $215,000, raised at 116 Dunkin’ Donuts locations.

In return for the police officers “doing time” at their restaurants, Dunkin’ Donuts donates $10,000 to the Torch Run fund. Also, each guest who visits a ‘Cop on a Rooftop’ location Friday and makes a donation to the Torch Run receives a free-donut coupon, the press release states.

Patrons donating at least $10 will receive a Law Enforcement Torch Run travel mug, while supplies last, and a coupon for free medium coffee. Other items, such as Torch Run T-shirts and hats, will be sold for various donation amounts. Activities may vary by Dunkin’ Donuts location.

History of Fundraiser

The Special Olympics fundraiser has grown considerably since police officers first took to Dunkin’ Donuts rooftops in 2003. That year, 12 police departments participated and raised $20,000.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised nearly $25 million over 26 years while increasing awareness of Special Olympics Illinois athletes and their accomplishments. Each year, more than 3,000 officers cover 1,500 miles carrying the Flame of Hope through the streets of their hometowns and to the State Summer Games in Normal in June.

It is the single largest year-round fundraising event benefiting Special Olympics Illinois.

The Torch Run has set a goal of raising $3 million in 2012, the press release states.

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for more than 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 11,000 young Athletes ages 2 to 7 with and without intellectual disabilities.

For more information about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, visit the Special Olympics Illinois website.