Community Corner

Hinsdale Officers Raise Money for Special Olympics Illinois

Officers Mike Coughlin and Mark Keller and village planner Sean Gascoigne were out in front of Dunkin' Donuts at York and Ogden as part of the statewide Cop on a Rooftop promotion.

Two officers and another village employee were out early Friday morning at Dunkin' Donuts in Hinsdale for the annual Cop on a Rooftop fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois.

Officers Mike Coughlin and Mark Keller, and Hinsdale village planner Sean Gascoigne arrived outside the donut shop at 6 a.m. and planned to stay until 11 a.m. Across the state, law enforcement officers were taking to the roofs of various Dunkin' Donuts, but because of the odd shape of the Hinsdale location's roof, the fundraising went on just outside the front door.  

Any dollars collected Friday will go towards the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which is Special Olympics Illinois' largest yearly fundraiser.

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The run is similar to the journey the traditional Olympic torch takes. Approximately 3,000 law enforcement officers will carry the Flame of Hope nearly 1,500 miles over 23 legs so it can arrive in Normal in time for the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics in June. 

Gascoigne, whose wife works with special-needs adults, has participated in the Torch Run every year since 2002 and said it's a special event.

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"Once you get to the end of your leg, you hand off the flame to the next agency and they move it on," Gascoigne said. 

The village planner said the DuPage County leg of the Torch Run takes place June 10.


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