Palos Park Police Stake Out Dunkin' Donuts Rooftops for 'Cop on Top' Fundraiser

Palos Park olice officers will be exiled to the roof of Dunkin' Donuts this week as the department participates in the annual "Cop on Rooftop" fundraiser for Special Olympics.

On Friday, May, 30, from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Palos Park Police Department will join police agencies across the state as they heighten awareness and raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Illinois.

Palos officers planning will be camped out on the roof of Dunkin' Donuts at 11901 80th Ave., and 13029 S. LaGrange Rd.

Police officers are scheduled to cover more than 170 Dunkin’ Donuts rooftops to raise awareness and donations for the Law Enforcement Torch Run — an intrastate relay with more than 3,000 police officers covering 1,500 miles — to benefit Special Olympics. In exchange for the police officers “doing time,” Dunkin’ Donuts will donate $15,000 to the Torch Run fund.

In addition, each guest who visits a Cop on Top location on May 30 and makes a donation to the Torch Run will receive a free donut coupon. Guests donating at least $10 will receive a Torch Run travel mug (while supplies last) and a coupon for a free medium coffee. Other items, such as Torch Run T-shirts and hats, will be sold for various donation amounts. 

In honor of Special Olympics Illinois athletes and police officers supporting the rooftop event, Dunkin’ Donuts created a special “Rooftop Ring” donut, a glazed donut ring with red icing depicting Special Olympics colors. The donut will be available at Dunkin’ Donuts locations in Chicago and suburbs May 26 through May 30.

The Torch Run has raised more than $31 million over 28 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 Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games in Normal in June. 

The Torch Run is the single largest year-round fundraising vehicle benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. The intrastate relay and its various fundraising projects have two goals: to raise money and increase public awareness for the athletes of Special Olympics. The Torch Run has set a goal of raising $3.5 million in 2014.

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for nearly 21,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 18,500 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family support. The first Special Olympics games were held at Soldier Field in July, 1968; the program now is in more than 170 countries.

If you’re interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency at 800-394-0562 or visit www.soill.org.