Crime & Safety

St. Charles Cops to Hit the Roof for Special l Olympics

Officers in St. Charles are joining with a state ampaign to raise money for agency serving the developmentally disabled.

Don’t be surprised on Friday if you see some St. Charles police officers hitting the roof —  but don’t worry, it’s all for a good cause.

This is the 11th year in which hundreds of law enforcement officers from throughout Illinois will stake out Dunkin’ Donuts rooftops –-- including the one at 1711 W. Main SSt. — to benefit Special Olympics Illinois beginning at 6 a.m. Friday, May 31, 2013, according to a police department release.

This year, police are poised to cover 150 Dunkin’ Donuts rooftops to raise awareness and money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Illinois. St. Charles officers will man the Dunkin’ Donuts at 1711 W. Main St., according to the release. “More than $1.3 million has been raised from this event over the last 10 years and we’re hoping to set new records this year,” said Sherman Police Chief Eric Smith, Illinois Torch Run director. “It’s a wonderfully fun, simple event that works.”

Police hope to top last year’s total of $235,000, according to the release.. Locally, officers raised $3,800 last year in support of the Cop on a Rooftop event. The local goal for this year is $4,000.

In return for the police officers “doing time” at their restaurants, the release states that Dunkin’ Donuts will donate $15,000 to the Torch Run fund. In addition, each guest who visits a Cop on a Rooftop location that day and donates to the Torch Run will receive a free donut 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, and other activities may vary by Dunkin’ Donuts location.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised nearly $28 million over 27 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 event 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 million for 2013.

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for more than 21,300 athletes with intellectual disabilities and nearly 13,000 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.

A 2013 Harley Davidson Street Glide motorcycle that is being raffled will be on display at the St. Charles location. A raffle ticket can be purchased for $10 with all proceeds going to Special Olympics. The raffle is sponsored by the Kane County Chiefs of Police Association.

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.


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