Law Enforcement Volunteers to Host Coin Drop and Cop-on-Top Event

Local law enforcement volunteers and officers with the Groton Town Police Department invite friends in the community to come out and support two upcoming fundraisers they will present in Groton to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut. The events include a Coin Drop fundraiser on Friday, December 15th and a Cop-on-Top event at Cardinal Honda, 531 CT-12 in Groton, Friday, December 15th and Saturday, December 16th.

For the Coin Drop on December 15th, volunteers and officers will be at the intersection of Crystal Lake Road and Route 12 in Groton from 5 to 9 a.m. with buckets to collect bills and loose change from drivers and passersby. All monies collected will go to supporting Special Olympics athletes.

The two-day Cop-on-Top event at Cardinal Honda beginning at 9 a.m. on December 15th and continuing until 11 a.m. on the 16th, will have officers and volunteers going to the rooftop of the dealership to raise awareness and collect donations for Special Olympics. Volunteers will also be positioned on the ground to collect donations from all who visit the dealership and make contributions.

Special guests will include Santa Clause, who will be available to take photos with children of all ages on Friday, 5 to 8 p.m., and the Special Olympics Penguin – mascot of the Special Olympics Connecticut Shoreline Penguin Plunge event. Food trucks will also be on site.

The Coin Drop and Cop-on-Top are Law Enforcement Torch Run events to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut and support the more than 13,000 athletes and Unified teammates the organization serves through its sports, health and fitness programs. For more information, call (203) 230-1201 or email specialolympicsct@soct.org.

About the Special Olympics Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run®

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Connecticut is one of the movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicles. This year-round program involves law enforcement officers from across the state who volunteer their time to raise awareness and funds through events including Tip-a-Cops, Cop-on-Tops, and Jail N’ Bail fundraisers. In addition, each year in June, over 1,500 officers and athletes carry the Special Olympics "Flame of Hope" through hundreds of cities and towns across the state, covering over 530 miles over three days. The runners run the “Final Leg” and light the ceremonial cauldron during Opening Ceremonies for the Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games.

Law Enforcement Torch Run Sponsors: Platinum Sponsors: Dream Ride, Whelen Engineering, WWE and The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund. Gold Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets / IGA Hometown Supermarkets and Papa’s Dodge.

About Special Olympics Connecticut

Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for over 13,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports® partners - their teammates without disabilities. Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities throughout the state and in 172 countries around the world by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for all people, on and off the playing field. (www.soct.org)

Partner Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Dream Ride, ESPN, Eversource Energy, The Golisano Foundation, Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC Connecticut, TD Bank, United Technologies and WWE.

Year-Round Suppliers: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Campus Customs, The Coca-Cola Company, Connecticut Portable Storage/PODS, Crystal Rock Water and Coffee Company, Dunkin’ Donuts, Guida’s Milk and Ice Cream, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, Marcus Communications, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service and WORX.