Gurnee, IL – On Friday, May 31st, Gurnee police officers will be participating in the 11th Annual Dunkin’ Donuts Cop on Rooftop event, from 5 a.m. until 2 p.m. At a record 150 locations across the state, hundreds of local law enforcement officers will stake out Dunkin’ Donuts rooftops. This is the third year that Gurnee officers have participated in the event to heighten awareness and raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois. Officers will be asking for donations and selling Torch Run (TR) merchandise such as TR hats, T-shirts, lapel pins and Harley-Davidson Motorcycle raffle tickets.

This event has raised more than $1.3 million since its inception in 2002. In the two previous years, Gurnee officers have raised approximately $3600 for Special Olympics Illinois in this event. This year there is a statewide goal of raising $240,000 for Special Olympics Illinois. Dunkin’ Donuts is a Presenting Sponsor of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois. The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is the single largest year-round fundraising vehicle benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. In 2012, the Illinois LETR raised more than $2.98 million and was the second highest grossing Torch Run program in the world!

Beginning June 9th, approximately 3,000 officers will carry the “Flame of Hope” nearly 1,500 miles, running through numerous Illinois communities to its final destination – the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games on June 14 in Normal. Gurnee police officers will run their leg of the LETR on Sunday morning, June 9th, at 6:15 a.m. The route begins at the Six Flags Great America entrance on Route 21 and continues south to Casey Road.

Special Olympics Illinois (SO ILL) is a nonprofit organization that provides year-round sports training and competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Currently, more than 21,300 athletes with intellectual disabilities and nearly 13,000 Young Athletes (ages 2-7) with and without intellectual disabilities participate in Special Olympics Illinois programs. All athletes participate at no cost to themselves or their families! Through training and competition, Special Olympics ILL athletes enhance their physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence and social skills.

Contact: Cmdr. Jay J. Patrick, Ph: 847.599.7000, Fax: 847.244.8678

Press Contact:
Media Relations
The Village of Gurnee
Village Hall, 325 N. O'Plaine Road Gurnee, IL 60031-2636
512 212 1139
[email protected]
http://www.gurnee.il.us/