Aurora cops to dish burgers to benefit Special Olympics
Aurora police officers invite you to join "ButterBurgers & Badges," a benefit for Special Olympics Illinois, from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, at Culver's Restaurant, 509 Route 59 in Aurora. Officers will serve patrons' orders. Tips and proceeds from sales of Law Enforcement Torch Run memorabilia will be donated to Special Olympics. Culver's will donate $1 for each very Concrete Mixer sold Aug. 10.
A Special Olympics athlete is expected to greet patrons. Dan Ferrelli, Aurora Police Department public information officer, said, "We'll be helping our friends at Culver's serve hungry patrons and raise money for Special Olympics Illinois."
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the single largest year-round fundraising vehicle benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. The annual intrastate relay and its various fundraising projects have two goals: to raise money and to gain awareness for the athletes who participate in Special Olympics Illinois. The Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised nearly $43 million over 31 years while increasing awareness of Special Olympics athletes and their accomplishments.
Approximately 3,000 officers representing every branch of law enforcement across the state from local police officers to FBI agents are involved in the Torch Run. Many will carry the Flame of Hope nearly 1,500 miles from June 5 to 10, running through thousands of Illinois communities via 23 different legs (routes) to its final destination - the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games in Normal on June 9.
In addition to donations for running, officers raise money in various ways throughout the year, such as the Polar Plunge, Plane Pull, Truck Convoy, Tip-A-Cop events, golf tournaments and more.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run has selected "Guardians of the Flame" as the theme for 2017 and will be using #ILTorchRun on social media to inspire officers and departments to spread the word about how the Torch Run transforms the lives of Special Olympics athletes in Illinois.