The Cop on a Rooftop fundraiser took place on Friday at participating Dunkin’ donut shops across Illinois, including Lake County.
The weather was perfect for the 21st anniversary of the Dunkin’ and Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois partnership. Organizers say more than $8.7 million has been raised in Illinois over the event’s history.
Several Dunkin’ locations in Lake County had a strong community presence on the ground by the drive-thru lanes, with community tents and the popular inflatable pink iced with sprinkle donut inflatable with a bite taken out of it.
Deerfield Police had smiling cops on the rooftop at 499 Lake Cook Road — Sgt. Greg Hury and patrol officer Amanda Homer.
“We always do this,” said Deerfield police dispatcher Desirae Kuceba, who organized the department’s Cop on a Rooftop fundraising presence this year. “It is important to go on the rooftop because we are visible and the public loves the interaction and seeing us up there.
“We are able to interact with far more people that see us from a distance, and the little kids love it,” she said. “Actually, everyone loves seeing us up there. We’ve had such good interaction with the public, and so many people have come out.”
The department’s fundraising goal, “is always $5,000,” Kucera said. “We actually have routine supporters that come every year, so they tell us when they’re coming through, ‘I saw you last year, I’ll be here next year,’ and that’s why we do it.”
Special Olympics, a global organization, began in Illinois with the first games at Soldier Field in July of 1968. There are now more than 6 million athletes and unified partners in 170 countries.
In Volo at 280 S. US Highway 12, the Lake County Sheriff’s Police also had police vehicles parked strategically with flashing lights to get the attention of motorists and coffee-lovers who then decided to stop by. Those who donated were given a free donut.
Many motorists were generous, offering their cards to make a credit or debit donation on the spot.
Mark Vice, a deputy sheriff with the Lake County Sheriff’s Police and a member of a Special Olympics law enforcement board, said the department staffed the Volo location as well as another in Third Lake. Both locations had a combined fundraising goal of more than $10,000.
“It’s amazing just to able to see the community get involved,” Vice said. “And how you see people immediately, ‘Oh, it’s Special Olympics and it’s the police. You guys are doing a great job, and you’re doing it for a great cause.’
“It’s a morale booster and it lifts us and it lifts the community at the same time,” he said.
Sandy Kaur of Wonder Lake was among the Volo location drive-thru donors and had a message to sheriff’s police officers: “You guys are keeping us safe, so thank you.”
Sharon Pruski of Volo, a seventh grade teacher, was a drive-thru donor at the Volo Dunkin’ store.
“I love it,” she said. “I think that it’s fantastic that they’re out there, all raising money.”
Michelle Salzman of Fox Lake walked up to offer a donation at the Volo Dunkin’ location.
“This is a lot of fun,” she said. “This is such a fun day.”
At the Libertyville 210 Peterson Road location, two Special Olympics athletes made an appearance to help Libertyville police greet customers.
Special Olympics athletes Blake Peacock of Libertyville and Tempest McKenzie of Lindenhurst wore bright blue shirts and some of the numerous medals on necklace ribbons they have won.
Both Peacock and McKenzie are swimmers, and McKenzie is a bowler as well.
McKenzie said she, “likes very much the Special Olympics.”
For Peacock, the Special Olympics is, “a great way to be with friends, and also with people who do not have disabilities. And it’s really a great way to meet new people.”
At the Mundelein Dunkin’ located at 346 N. Lake St., Mundelein Police Chief Jason Seeley was among those carrying large clear jugs so motorists could offer monetary donations.
“It’s a great thing just because all the Special Olympians work so hard, and they get so much enjoyment and pleasure out of this,” Seeley said. “It’s the highlight of their year.
“We’re happy that we can be here to help them out and collect some money to help their cause,” he said.
