Vernon Hills Cops Sit on Roof, Ask for Cash

Vernon Hills police officers will climb onto the roof of Dunkin' Donuts May 31 to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics of Illinois.

Customers at the donut shop will be greeted by the officers from above between 5-9 a.m. that morning. Those who donate money to the Special Olympics will receive a coupon for a free doughnut or coffee.

This is the sixth year for the "Cops on the Rooftop" event in Vernon Hills, which has raised more than $5,776 in the last five years. It is also the second of three main efforts this year by the police department to raise money for the cause. 

In Feburary, five police officers, one telecommunicator and two family members  jumped into the icy cold waters of the Fox Lake as part of the Polar Plunge. More than $2,344 in donations were collected for that event. The third event takes place on June 9, when officers will collect pledges to run a three-mile leg through Vernon Hills in the Torch Run for the Special Olympics.

"The Special Olympics have become the 'adopted charity' of police departments throughout Illinois," Police Chief Mark Fleischhauer said. "We pride ourselves in doing everything we can to support the cause and to increase our fund-raising efforts each year as well."

For further information on any of the Special Olympics events, contact Sgt Jim Levicki at (847) 362-4449.