Oak Forest Police to Stake Out Dunkin Donuts Rooftop May 20

OAK FOREST, IL — For the 14th year in a row, hundreds of law enforcement officers from throughout the state will stake out Dunkin’ Donuts rooftops, including the location at 5159 W. 159th Street, to benefit Special Olympics Illinois on Friday, May 20, beginning at 5 a.m.

Police officers are scheduled to cover more than 230 Dunkin’ Donuts rooftops to raise awareness and donations for the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Illinois. Officers from the Oak Forest Police Department will be manning the Dunkin’ Donuts at 5159 W. 159thStreet. A complete list of participating locations around the state is available at https://www.soill.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2016-Dunkin-Cop-on-a-Rooftop-Locations.pdf.

In honor of Special Olympics Illinois athletes and police officers supporting the rooftop event, Dunkin’ Donuts created a special “The Champion” donut, a glazed donut ring with red and white icing depicting Special Olympics colors. The donut will be available at Dunkin’ Donuts locations in Chicago and suburbs May 20.

Each guest who visits a Cop on a Rooftop location that day and makes a donation 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. 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 $2.5 million has been raised from this event over the last 13 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 $540,000. Oak Forest officers raised $4,157 last year in support of the Cop on a Rooftop event. This year’s goal is $4,500.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised more than $39 million over 30 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 surpassing the $4.1 million raised in 2015.

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for more than 22,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 20,000 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.