Cops carry torch — and some doughnuts — for Special Olympics
For cops who like doughnuts as much as the stereotype implies, and for Special Olympians who get to compete for free in their sport of choice, Friday was a great day.
It was a day of doughnuts and fundraising as police in about 20 West suburban communities and dozens of others across the state stood atop Dunkin’ Donuts stores and solicited donations for Special Olympics Illinois as part of the annual Cop on Top campaign.
The 130 participating departments raised more than $225,000 Friday, breaking last year’s fundraising record, according to a Dunkin’ Donuts spokeswoman.
For the first time, Aurora police will follow up Friday’s doughnut shop fundraiser with a more active event — hosting a leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which also supports Special Olympics Illinois. Statewide, the Torch Run aims to bring in $3 million this year to create more opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in Special Olympics.
“We chose the theme of ‘Ignite the Passion, Share the Dream’ for this year because it embodies what we’re aiming for — inspiring law enforcement officers to raise more awareness and money so more Special Olympics athletes can become involved in the program,” Assistant Torch Run Director Tom Reasoner said in a statement.
The Torch Run varies a bit from the average charity race. It’s for law enforcement personnel only and not open to the public. It’s not timed and the only entry fee is the suggested purchase of a Torch Run T-shirt.
But Aurora police Sgt. Doug Podschweit expects the run to have a visual presence as 20 to 30 law enforcement personnel jog together on June 10 from Aurora police headquarters to the North Aurora police station.
“It’s more of a group thing to try to get the word out and raise awareness of Special Olympics,” Podschweit said. “It’s more of a symbolic run.”
Runners will carry the “Flame of Hope” torch as they jog the three miles. After a short break, they’ll head right back, making Aurora’s leg of the Torch Run a 6-mile route.
In the Torch Run’s 26-year history, this marks the first time Aurora police have hosted a leg. The run includes 23 legs and culminates June 15 at the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games at Illinois State University.
While this is the first time Aurora police are hosting a segment of the run, the department has been raising money for Special Olympics for several years, bringing in more than $15,000 last year from events including a 5K and the annual Cop on Top events at Dunkin’ Donuts.
“We tend to bring a lot of people other than just officers,” Podschweit said. “We encourage our dispatchers to get out there, too.”
Police and support personnel from agencies including the Naperville Park District police, North Central College police, the DuPage County sheriff’s and state’s attorney’s offices, the Kane County sheriff’s office and the Addison, Batavia, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Roselle, St. Charles, Villa Park, West Chicago, Winfield and Wood Dale police departments also made their presence felt during the fundraising effort at doughnut shops.