May 27, 2025
Local News

Area cops sit on Dunkin' Donuts roofs to support Illinois Special Olympics

By JIM DALLKE

Sergeant Thomas Kretschmer of the Crystal Lake Police waves to a customer from the roof of Dunkin' Donuts on the Northwest Highway in Crystal Lake, Ill. on Friday, May 31, 2013. Sergeant Kretschmer sat on the roof top as part of a fundraiser to help raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting the Special Olympics Illinois. Law enforcement officers across the state climbed to Dunkin' Donuts rooftops to participate in the fundraiser. (Lathan Goumas)

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CRYSTAL LAKE – Crystal Lake Police Sgt. Tom Kretschmer was on the Dunkin’ Donuts rooftop at 5 a.m. Friday, greeting coffee drinkers as they pulled into the restaurant on Route 14.

Police officers sat on more than 150 Dunkin’ Donuts roofs across Illinois to raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which benefits the Illinois Special Olympics.

“The response today has been great,” Kretschmer said. “People are coming out. It’s been pretty constant through the drive-thru. I’ve done this every year we’ve done it, and I think this year has been the busiest.”

The fundraising done by police departments Friday allows Illinois Special Olympic athletes and their families to participate in the events free of charge.

In the past 10 years, the Cops on Rooftops event has raised more than $1.3 million statewide. Illinois police departments raised $240,000 last year alone, a number officers hope to top this year.

“This is one of those events that really brings the community together,” said Sumish Parikh, owner of the Dunkin’ Donuts on Route 14 in Crystal Lake. “Every single customer we’ve seen come through has donated something. That is just a testament to their commitment to the community.”

Parikh’s Dunkin’ Donuts has been working with the Crystal Lake Police Department for the past four years, raising more money each year, he said.

“It’s been such a great sense of accomplishment, knowing every year we’ve been fundraising more,” he said. “It gives you a good feeling inside.”

Each customer who donated Friday received a free Dunkin’ Donuts coupon, and those who donated $10 or more received a Law Enforcement Torch Run travel mug and a coupon for free coffee.

Dunkin’ Donuts plans to donate $15,000 to the Torch Run fund in addition to the amount given by customers at its locations in Illinois.

In Woodstock, McHenry County sheriff’s officers camped outside the drive-­thru lane at the Dunkin’ Donuts on Eastwood Road, as the building owners would not let them on the roof.

“We’ve been extremely busy through the drive-­thru,” deputy Aimee Knop said. “Some people are very excited about it because they have loved ones that participate in Special Olympics, so it really hits home for them. Other people come and see us every year. It’s almost like a reunion.”

In the past 26 years, Illinois law enforcement agencies have raised more than $25 million for Illinois Special Olympic athletes through fundraising campaigns.