Vernon Hills Police Raise Nearly $1,200 for Special Olympics

Editor's note: Ofc. Sharon Joseph wrote this on June 1, the day of the event.

It was a bit chilly this morning. But neither the chill nor the breeze at 30 feet up could prevent the members of the VHPD from performing their annual event at Dunkin’ Donuts.

For four early morning hours, patrons at the Hawthorn Hills Shopping Center were greeted by Vernon Hills Police Officers in order to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics of Illinois (SOIL). Those donating money for the cause received a coupon for a free donut. Those who donated $5 were treated to the sight of a "Munchkin Drop," where our officer "on top" dropped a Munchkin, hopefully into the mouth of a waiting cop on the ground (our average this year was terrible, but we’re blaming the wind; I think only one made it into a mouth). Those who donated $15 or more received a travel mug and a coupon for free coffee.

Although the event is called "Cops on Top" (ie., the rooftop), we had to use a bucket truck from our Public Works Department, since the design of the building wouldn't have given us much room to see the patrons from the roof. Nonetheless, just over $1,198 was raised through people's generous donations. This was up $37 from last year. We were truly amazed at the amount of people willing to donate to this cause. The highlight of the day was a $50 donation by Virginia Manzella of LaRosa (Rts. 45 and 21). Thanks to all!

VHPD personnel on scene for the fundraiser included Deputy Chief Rick Davies (a frequent attempter of the Munchkin Drop), Ofc. Shannon Holubetz (our usual emcee and Munchkin Dropper, fresh off his 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift; OK, so he was a little slap-happy, but that made him even more entertaining), Det. Ken Berryhill, Cmdr. Todd Williams, Ofc. Vince Utter, Ofc. Jim Brocks and Ofc. Sharon Joseph (yours truly, but I’m the official photographer, which is why you never see pictures of me), as well as Police Explorers Davies and Pedersen. We also had a drop-by by Chief Fleischhauer himself. A special thanks goes out to Matt Bartlett of public works (who we are losing to Hawthorn Woods, those lucky ducks!) and of course, Dunkin' Donuts.

This program is the second out of three main efforts by the department to raise money for the SOIL. On March 5, 2012, five officers (and four of their kids) jumped into the icy cold waters of the Fox River as part of the Polar Plunge, where $2,075 (down over $1,000 from last year) in donations were collected. The third event will take place on June 10, when officers will run a three-mile leg through Vernon Hills in the Torch Run for the Special Olympics.

For more information regarding the department's SOIL efforts, or to make a donation, contact Sgt. Jim Levicki at 847-362-4434.