Police Officers to Stake Out 116 Dunkin' Donuts Rooftops for Special Olympics Illinois, May 20

CHICAGO, May 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 9th year in a row, Illinois police officers will stake out Dunkin' Donuts rooftops to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.

Once again, on Friday, May 20, beginning at 5 a.m. through early afternoon, hundreds of police officers from across the state are scheduled to cover 116 Dunkin' Donuts rooftops to heighten awareness and raise money for the 26th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.

Illinois Torch Run Director and Channahon Police Chief Joe Pena says that despite the economy, "Every year, we raise more in donations for Special Olympics Illinois than the previous year.  The story speaks for itself….it's about good and dedicated police officers working to support Special Olympics athletes and their families."

The stakes for this year's rooftop stakeout are high.  To meet their goal, Special Olympics Illinois hopes to top last year's total of $207,000 raised at 111 Dunkin' Donuts locations.

In return for the police officers "doing time" at their restaurants, Dunkin' Donuts will donate $10,000 to the Torch Run fund.  In addition, 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.  Guests donating at least $10 will receive a Law Enforcement Torch Run travel mug and a coupon for free medium coffee.

The Special Olympics fund-raiser has grown considerably since police officers first took to Dunkin' Donuts rooftops in 2003.  That year, 12 police departments participated and raised $20,000.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run, celebrating its 25th anniversary, was started in 1986.  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.  The intrastate relay and its various fundraising projects have two goals:  to raise money and increase public awareness for the athletes of Special Olympics.

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for nearly 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 6,000 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.

SOURCE Dunkin' Donuts