Police Officers to Stake Out a Record 120 Dunkin' Donuts Rooftops for 8th Annual 'Cop on a Rooftop' for Special Olympics Illinois, May 21

CHICAGO, May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Record numbers of Illinois police officers will stake out Dunkin' Donuts rooftops this year to support the Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.

On Friday, May 21, beginning at 5 a.m., hundreds of police officers from throughout the state are scheduled to cover a record 120 Dunkin' Donuts rooftops to heighten awareness and raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

"I don't think any of us ever imagined when this all started in 2003 with police officers raising $20,000 from just 12 Dunkin' Donuts rooftops that, one day, we'd be looking at an event that raises close to $200,000 to support the athletes and their families, " says Illinois Torch Run Director and Channahon Police Chief Joe Pena.

Pena adds that he hopes the record number of Dunkin' Donuts rooftop locations will contribute to a new high raised by the event.  A new donation record would need to top last year's total of more than $182,000 raised at 97 Dunkin' Donuts locations.

In return for the police officers doing time at their stores, Dunkin' Donuts will donate $10,000 to the Torch Run fund.  In addition, everyone who visits a Cop on a Rooftop store that day and makes a donation to the Torch Run will receive a free donut.  Persons who donate at least $10 will receive a Law Enforcement Torch Run travel mug and coupon for free medium coffee.  

The event will begin at 5 a.m. and run through 2 p.m. at most locations.  A list of all participating Dunkin' Donuts locations is available on www.soill.org.  

The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run 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 to the State Summer Games in Normal in June.  The intrastate relay and its 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 4,000 Young Athletes ages 2 – 7 with and without intellectual disabilities.  To learn more about Special Olympics Illinois, visit www.soill.org.

About Dunkin' Donuts

Founded in 1950, Dunkin' Donuts is America's favorite every day, all-day stop for coffee and baked goods.  The company has more than 9,000 restaurants in 30 countries worldwide. Based in Canton, Massachusetts, Dunkin' Donuts is a subsidiary of Dunkin' Brands, Inc. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.

SOURCE Dunkin' Donuts