Palatine Police Stake Out Dunkin Donuts Rooftop Friday

If you drive by Dunkin' Donuts, 801 Dundee Road, starting at 5 a.m. Friday, don’t panic if you see Palatine Policemen on the roof.

For the last 11 years, police in Palatine have participated in the Cop on a Rooftop event, which is a fundraiser for the Law Enforcement Torch Run that benefits Special Olympics Illinois. In 2012, local police raised $235,000 - and the goal is to beat that number this year.

What you can do to help the fundraising goal is to stop by the Palatine Dunkin' Donuts [located on Dundee just west of Rand Road], and make any size donation to get a coupon for a free donut. If you donate $10, you can receive a Law Enforcement Torch Run travel mug (while supplies last) along with a coupon for a free medium coffee.

Other items, including hats and t-shirts, will be available in exchange for different donation amounts.

Palatine Police will remain at the scene raising money until 9 a.m. Friday.

Over the last 27 years, the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised more than $28 million. The run itself occurs in June, where local police carry a torch through their towns all the way to Normal, Illinois where the Special Olympics State Summer Games are held.

The first Special Olympics games were held at Soldier Field in 1968, and the program is now in 170 countries.

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization that serves more than 21,300 athletes with intellectual disabilities, who compete in 19 different sports. 13,000 more young athletes ages two to seven, with and without intellectual disabilities are also served by the organization.

For more information, visit www.soill.org or call 800-394-0562.