Cops, doughnuts and Special Olympics a sweet combo
Cops like doughnuts.
They don't necessarily like heights.
Just ask Elmhurst Sgt. Brendan Bruckner, who spent a portion of Friday morning perched on the roof of a Dunkin' Donuts at 936 N. York Road as part of the 16th annual “Cop on a Rooftop” campaign.
The event is a chance for police officers across the state to poke a little fun at their alleged passion for chocolate and sprinkles and to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Illinois, which serves more than 43,000 athletes of all ages.
“We're raising money for the Special Olympics and trying to do good for the community,” Bruckner said. “It's a pretty good fundraiser for Special Olympics.”
But, truth be told, Bruckner said he would have preferred to be on the ground looking up instead of on the roof looking down.
“Heights are a little interesting,” he said. “It's a worthy cause, so I'll do it, but I'll leave it to the firefighters to be on the roof some of the time.”
While Bruckner was trying to enjoy the bird's-eye view, other officers - including Detective Ken Lafin - were on terra firma collecting money from doughnut fans. All donors received a coupon for a free doughnut and those who gave $10 or more also got a souvenir Law Enforcement Torch Run coffee tumbler and a free coffee.
Lafin was joined by Special Olympian Connor Nolan of Woodridge, who came to help out for the second year in a row. Connor is a swimmer who won a gold medal in the breast stroke.
Elmhurst cops have been participating in the roof-sitting since its inception 16 years ago. Bruckner said officers statewide hoped to collect $720,000 Friday and have garnered around $4 million since the program started.
“It's a great organization and we're very blessed to be able to help raise money for the Special Olympics and encourage the kids to get out there and participate,” Deputy Chief Bob Tannehill said.
“It's wonderful to see the courage and the dedication they put forward,” he said, and that spirit inspires cops to do what they can to raise money for the cause “to help them out and help them succeed.”