'Cops on Rooftops' Supports Special Olympics this Weekend

Don't be alarmed if you are driving down Rt. 140 this weekend and see a swarm of police activity at Dunkin' Donuts.

As part of a national fundraising effort for Special Olympics, Chief Jeff Spaulding of the Westminster Police Department and Captain Jim DeWees and Lieutenant Rob Stryjewski of the Maryland State Police, have volunteered to spend the weekend on the roof of Dunkin’ Donuts in the Rt. 140 Shopping Center. Their collective fundraising goal is $7,500 and they have vowed that they will not come down until all of that money has been collected.

"Our collective goal is to raise awareness and funds to support the incredible work of Special Olympics here in Maryland," Chief Spaulding said.  "We in law enforcement hope to raise at least $7,500 in Carroll County and more than $50,000 total across the State this weekend.  Given the ongoing generosity in our community for this great cause, I am optimistic that we will achieve our goal."

In 2011, there was six police department in the state who participated and raised more than $31,000 Spaulding said. This year seven Dunkin’ Donuts locations across the state will take part in the program: Laurel, MDTA – Baltimore, MDTA – Aberdeen, Hyattsville, College Park, St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Office and Westminster.

There will be an outdoor festival from noon to 3 p.m. at Dunkin' Donuts Saturday which will include a variety of activities for the entire family as well as a moon bounce, police canine and motorcycle demonstrations, a static display of police vehicles, and face painting.

The event was conceived by a group of the law enforcement officers from Illinois, who in 2009, took to the rooftops of 94 Dunkin’ Donuts locations across the state and raised more than $182,000 according to a press release.

"I have seen first-hand the life-changing benefits of Special Olympics and what their programs mean to the athletes and their families," Spaulding said. "I hope that everyone will consider coming out to put a dollar or two in our bucket this weekend to support this great cause."

If you can’t make the event, you can donate at www.copsonrooftops.com.

The event will run Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon.