Live Blog: Local Police Partner with Dunkin' Donuts to Raise Money for Special Olympics

1 p.m. Sunday: Chief Spaulding writes:

Well, we finished up at noon with a bang.  Our fundraising totals here in Westminster were as follows:

Cops on Rooftop Contributions $4,600

Harley Raffle Tickets $1,400

Total funds raised $6,000

I want to thank all of those members of law enforcement who played a role in making this event such as success including my “roomie”, Lt. Jim DeWees of the Maryland State Police, Chief Bernie Gerst of the Towson University Police Department, Major Steve Reynolds of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and many members of the Maryland State Police and Westminster Police Departments.  I also want to recognize and thank Mr. Ram Javia (the owner of our Dunkin Donuts) and his incredible staff for partnering with us once again this year and taking such good care of our volunteers during the 30+ hours we took over his business.  Mr. Javia also made a very generous donation of $350 this afternoon to bring us to an even $6,000 – despite the fact that Lt. DeWees ate that least that much in donuts in the last two days.  Very generous!

I also want to say thanks to the citizens of Carroll County who took time out of their busy lives to come to Dunkin Donuts and contribute to this great effort.  Truly, all of our planning would have meant nothing if the members of our community had not come out to support this great cause.

Some of the totals are coming in from our colleagues around the state.  Laurel is currently leading the pack with $7,100.  The MDTA Police reported in at $4,700 from Reisterstown and Hyattsville PD came in with $5,030.  We are collectively hoping for a total of more than $40,000 for our efforts statewide…not bad for a 30 hour period.

Thanks again to everyone who played a role in making our event such a success.  Now it’s time for me to get some sleep!

1:30 a.m. Sunday: Chief Spaulding writes:

It’s now about 1:30 a.m. and things have pretty much ground to a halt.  I am clearing some old email on my laptop and my colleague Lt DeWees is catching a cat nap on a lounge chair.  It’s a bit cool and damp, but much more comfortable than the heat midday today.  At least no rain (like last year)!  I have been checking in with my colleagues around the State and they too are enduring the doldrums well.  My friends in Hyattsville PD are currently engaged in a rousing game of WII bowling in their rooftop perch.  There is an idea for next year!

8:30 p.m. Saturday: Chief Spaulding writes:

Well, its 8:30 p.m. and all is well.  We are up to about $3,000 between cash donations, checks and Harley raffle ticket sales.  The sun has gone down and the weather has cooled off nicely.  Traffic has slowed down, but everyone has been very generous and donations are adding up.  We’ll be here all night, so everyone should feel free to stop by and contribute what they can.  We’ll be here, waiting.

4:40 p.m. Saturday: Chief Spaulding writes:

We are right at the $2000 point in donations at 4 p.m.  We have also sold about $600 in Harley raffle tickets.  All the money goes to the same place.

3 p.m. Saturday: Editor Kym Byrnes writes:

Just spent 45 minutes on a very hot roof with Westminster Police Chief Jeff Spaulding and the newly named commander of the Westminster Barrack of the Maryland State Police, Lt. DeWees. As of 3 p.m. they had raised just over $2,000 for the Maryland Special Olympics which is a great show of support from the Westminster community, but they have a long way to go to meet their goal of $10,000. 

Chief Spaulding said that last year, the inaugural year for this event in Carroll County, their goal was $5000 and they raised just over $8,000. He said he's optimistic that they can meet their goal this year. 

So Westminster: it's coffee and donut time. Spaulding, DeWees and a host of supporters (including families, Special Olympics participants and other law enforcement officials) will be pulling an all-nighter at Dunkin' Donuts tonight in an effort to raise money. If there was ever a good time to get some donuts for breakfast or an afternoon iced coffee, this is it.  

12:30 p.m. Saturday: Chief Jeffrey Spaulding writes: 

Lt. DeWees, Chief Bernie Gerst and I are perched on the roof here in Westminster and all is well…if not a little warm.  The community has been very forthcoming…we have over $1,200 in donations thus far but still a LONG way to go to reach our goal of $10,000.  Thanks to all who have supported our effort so far.  Our family event begins in 30 minutes, so bring the kids and have some fun.  Face painting, crafts, a rock wall, moon bounce and several interesting demonstrations, so come on out and join us!

9:06 a.m. Saturday: Chief Jeffrey Spaulding writes:

7:08 a.m. Saturday: Chief Jeffrey Spaudling writes:

6:25 a.m. Saturday: Chief Jeffrey Spaulding writes: