Police officers to stake out rooftops for Special Olympics Illinois May 29

For the 13th year in a row, hundreds of law enforcement officers from throughout the state will stake out Dunkin' Donuts rooftops, including the location at 2002 W. Wilson St. in Batavia, to benefit Special Olympics Illinois on Friday, May 29, beginning at 5 a.m.

Police officers are scheduled to cover more than 190 Dunkin' Donuts rooftops to raise awareness and donations for the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Illinois. Officers from the Batavia and Geneva police departments will be manning the Dunkin' Donuts at 2002 W. Wilson St., Batavia. A complete list of participating locations around the state can be downloaded at www.soill.org.

In St. Charles, it will be held at 1711 W. Main St. and 2057 Lincoln Highway.

In honor of Special Olympics Illinois, athletes and police officers supporting the rooftop event, Dunkin' Donuts created a special "The Champion" doughnut, a glazed doughnut ring with red and white icing depicting Special Olympics colors. The doughnut will be available at Dunkin' Donuts locations in Chicago and suburbs May 26-29.

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 may vary by Dunkin' Donuts location.

Dunkin' Donuts is further displaying their support by donating $15,000 to the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

"More than $2 million has been raised from this event over the last 12 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 $430,000.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised more than $35 million over 29 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 $4 million in 2015.

Special Olympics Illinois is a nonprofit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for nearly 22,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and nearly 21,000 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.