Police officers to hit 174 Dunkin' Donuts rooftops for Special Olympics Illinois May 30

For the 12th year in a row, hundreds of law enforcement officers from throughout the state will stake out Dunkin' Donuts rooftops to benefit Special Olympics Illinois on Friday, May 30, beginning at 5 a.m.

Police officers are scheduled to cover 174 Dunkin' Donuts rooftops to raise awareness and donations for the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Chicago Bulls broadcaster Chuck Swirsky, Special Olympics athletes, Chicago Blackhawks Ambassador and Hockey Hall of Famer Tony Esposito, cooking personality "Momma Cuisine" Johanna Cook, and Chicago Fire goalie Kyle Reynish are among the special guests who will also rise to the occasion to show their support.

In honor of the Special Olympics athletes and police officers supporting the rooftop event, Dunkin' Donuts created a special glazed red and white doughnut ring depicting Special Olympics Illinois colors. The doughnut, called "The Champion," will be available at Dunkin' Donuts locations in Chicago and suburbs May 26-30.

Each guest who visits a Cop on a Rooftop location that day and makes a donation to the Torch Run will receive a free doughnut coupon. Guests 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. Additional activities will vary by Dunkin' Donuts location.

Dunkin' Donuts also is donating $15,000 to the Torch Run fund.

"More than $1.6 million has been raised from this event over the last 11 years and we're hoping to set new records this year," said Illinois Torch Run Director and Sherman Police Chief Eric Smith. "It's a fun event that works."

To meet their goal, police officers will have to top last year's total of $310,000.

For a list of all participating locations, go to the Special Olympics website, www.soill.org, www.facebook.com/DunkinChicago or www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsIllinois.

The Illinois Law Enforcement 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 State Summer Games in Normal in June. It 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 nonprofit 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, call (800) 394-0562 or visit the website at www.soill.org.