THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008
Cops On Top of Fundraising Effort
By TOM ROBB
Journal Reporter
The stereotype is that cops can always be found at donut shops. But last weekend officers from Glenview, Niles, Mt. Prospect, and Arlington Heights were found above them as well.
"What better place to put a cop but on top of a donut shop?" asked Glenview Police officer John Good.
The officers were taking part in a charity event for the Special Olympics called "Cops on Top".
Police staked out positions both on the roofs and in the stores of area Dunkin Donuts locations and took donations.
The Cops on Top event is one of several area charity events where law enforcement raises money for the Special Olympics.
Mt. Prospect Police Chief John Dahlberg stood atop the Dunkin Donuts at Golf and Busse roads with four of his officers both on the roof and below in the store last Friday, May 9.
"The people were great, especially in light of the economy. I was moved by it," said Dahlberg. "My hat's off to all the citizens of Mt. Prospect and all the other communities who supported the effort." Dahlberg said his officers raised $841 for Special Olympics. He added that people were very supportive.
"I was seeing lots of $10's and $20's going into the bucket," said Dahlberg.
In Niles, officers raised $3,371 at two locations, double what they raised for the event last year.
In Glenview, officers raised $1,211 at the Dunkin Donuts on Lake and Milwaukee avenues.
In Arlington Heights, officers raised $1,000 at the Dunkin Donuts on Arlington Heights Road where K9 officer Marco came out and Ofc. Mack, a member of the Emerald Society, played bagpipes.
Friday was chilly and very windy but Good said officers on the roof didn't mind.
"Thinking about the cause kept them warm," said Good. "People I talked to were very supportive, people were laughing and having a good time and digging deep."
Glenview has been participating in the program for nine years while this was Mount Prospect's first year participating in Cops on Top.
Dahlberg said Mt. Prospect Police have participated in the Torch Run fundraiser for Special Olympics for the last 15 years and had officers present metals to competitors recently at a regional competition at Prospect High School. Officers from Mt. Prospect included Chief Dahlberg, Sgt. Mark McGuffin, and officers Dirk Ollech and Bill Roscop.
Glenview officers included coordinator Ofc. Good, Ofc. David Maide, Ofc. Myron Wilson, Ofc. Jamie Armstrong and Ofc. Ruben Medina.
Dahlberg said law enforcement in Illinois raised $2 million for the Special Olympics last year.
The Torch Run is scheduled for Sunday, June 8 this year and will run through Mt. Prospect and Des Plaines as well as other communities.