Elmhurst Cops Hit Dunkin' Donuts Rooftops for Special Olympics

For the ninth straight year, police officers throughout the state will stake out Dunkin’ Donuts rooftops to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.

On Friday, May 20, from 5 a.m. through 2 p.m., Elmhurst officers will be perched atop Dunkin Donuts at 506 W. North Ave. and at 195 E. Butterfield Road.

The purpose is to heighten awareness and raise money for the 26th annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.

Illinois Torch Run Director and Channahon Police Chief Joe Pena said he thinks the event will set a new record for fund-raising, despite the economy.

"Every year, we raise more in donations for Special Olympics Illinois than the previous year," he said. "The story speaks for itself. It’s good and dedicated police officers working to support Special Olympics athletes and their families year after year."

The stakes for this year’s rooftop stakeout are high. Donations will need to top last year’s total of $207,000 raised at 111 Dunkin’ Donuts locations.

Last year, the Elmhurst Police Department raised about $5,000 for Illinois Special Olympics.

Those who donate $10 will receive a Law Enforcement Torch Run travel mug (while supplies last). The mug can be filled at participating Dunkin’ Donuts stores, free of charge, throughout the day of the event. In addition, those who donate $5 will receive a pin, and a $15 donation qualifies for either a T-shirt or hat. 

Members of the Elmhurst Police Department and the Elmhurst Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association will be accepting donations at the two Elmhurst Dunkin Donut locations noted above. Donations also can be mailed or hand-delivered to the Elmhurst Police Department, Attn: Officer Matt McCollum, 125 E. First Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126. Please make checks payable to Special Olympics Illinois. For more information, call 630-530-3050.

In return for the police officers doing time at their stores, Dunkin’ Donuts will donate $10,000 to the Torch Run fund. 

The Special Olympics fund-raiser has grown considerably since police officers first took to Dunkin’ Donuts rooftops in 2003.  That year, 12 police departments throughout the state raised $20,000. 

The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run is celebrating its 25th anniversary and has a goal of raising $3 million this year. 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 largest year-round fund-raising event 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. Last year, the Torch Run raised more than $2.9 million for Special Olympics Illinois.

Special Olympics Illinois is a nonprofit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for nearly 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 6,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. For more information, call (800) 394-0562 or visit www.soill.org.