For the sixth year in a row, Illinois police officers will stake out Dunkin' Donuts rooftops to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.
On Friday, May 9, beginning at 5 a.m., hundreds of police officers from throughout the state will cover more than 60 Dunkin' Donuts rooftops to heighten awareness and raise donations for the 23rd Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.
Illinois Torch Run Director and Channahon Police Chief Joe Pena is projecting a record year for the event, which will need to top 2006's totals of 54 Dunkin' Donuts rooftops and $108,300 raised in donations. The Special Olympics fund-raiser has grown considerably since police officers first took to Dunkin' Donuts rooftops in 2003. That year, 12 police departments participated and raised $20,000.
This year's event will begin at 5 a.m. and run through 2 p.m. at all locations which include Arlington Heights, Addison, Chicago, Elmhurst, Lombard, Palos Heights, Naperville, Mundelein, Schaumburg, South Elgin and Peoria. In some cases, mayors and other local officials will join police officers on the store roofs.
In return for the police officers doing time at their stores, Dunkin' Donuts will donate $10,000 to the Torch Run fund. In addition, everyone who visits a Cop on a Rooftop store that day and makes a donation to the Torch Run will receive a free donut. Persons donating at least $10 will receive a Law Enforcement Torch Run travel mug and coupon for free coffee. Other items, such as Torch Run T-shirts and hats, will be sold for various donations.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run was started in 1986. 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.
If you're interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, call 800-TEAM-ISO or visit http://www.soill.org/.