$2,200 For Charity Raised By Solon Cops On Roofs

SOLON, OH — On May 19, customers at the Solon and Bainbridge Dunkin Donuts got quite a surprise. When they looked up from their cell phone to check the beautiful blue sky, they were greeted by the curious sight of smiling, waving police officers who were seemingly stranded on the roof of the chain confectionery store.

The cops were up on the roof for a good reason. The Cop on a Roof fundraiser (whose name is a bit on the nose) raises money for the Special Olympics. Twelve different Dunkin Donuts locations throughout Northeast Ohio participated in the fundraiser.

Solon Police eagerly signed up for the event and staffed two locations, one Dunkin Donuts in Solon and another in Bainbridge. Lieutenant Bruce Felton of Solon PD said officers were deposited on the roofs from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cops were able to raise about $2,200 for the Special Olympics.

The fundraiser worked like this. If a patron spotted a cop on the roof of the store, they had the opportunity to make a donation to the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the Special Olympics. If they did so, they got a free donut coupon. If they donated at least $10, they received a Dunkin Donut/Law Enforcement Torch Travel Mug and a coupon for a free medium coffee.

"This is something Dunkin' Donuts has done in other states in the past, but this is the first year in Ohio that they are teaming up with Special Olympics and the Law Enforcement Torch Run, so we hope that it will continue in years to come," Felton told Patch.

A spokesperson for Dunkin' Donuts told Patch the Cop on a Roof fundraiser started more than 15 years ago in Illinois. Given the success the program has had in that state, the decision was made to spread it across the region. However, about three years ago the Solon Police Department ran as similar program at the city's Walgreens, placing officers on scaffolding outside the drugstore.

Felton said the Torch Run for Special Olympics will make it's way through Solon on Wednesday June 21, entering Solon at about 10:30 a.m. at SR 91 and Miles.

Photos from Solon Police