Bridgeview police collect thousands of dollars for Special Olympics

Bridgeview police collect donations for the Special Olympics at the Dunkin' Donuts in Summit.

By Bob Bong
Desplaines Valley News

Bridgeview police raised almost $5,000 for the Special Olympics by collecting donations last week at three area Dunkin’ Donut locations.

“This is a program that we enjoy being a part of,” said Bridgeview Police Chief Russ Harvey while collecting donations in a plastic bucket in front of the Dunkin’ Donuts on Harlem Avenue in Summit.

“It’s a very good cause,” he said.

Harvey thanked police in Summit, Hickory Hills and Burbank for letting the Bridgeview PD set up shop at Dunkin’ Donut locations in their towns.

“Since we no longer have a Dunkin’ Donuts in town, our neighboring police departments have been kind enough to allow us to take temporary occupation of theirs,” he said.

Harvey said donations totaled $4,845.63 from all three coffee shops.

The morning crew at the Summit Dunkin'Donuts.

“We raised $1,270.22 in Burbank, $2,530.46 in Hickory Hills and $1,044.95 in Summit,” he said.

Inside the shop, owner Kathy Anczerewicz was happy to see the police presence.

“I try to do this every year,” she said. “Here and my other location in Palos Heights. It’s a program that’s close to my heart.

“Those kids deserve everything they can get,” she said. “This is our way of helping them out.”

This was the 11th year in a row that police patrolled the rooftops and parking lots of Dunkin’ Donut coffee shops on the lookout for donations for the Special Olympics.

The police wanted to heighten awareness of the Special Olympics and to raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the Special Olympics.

“More than $1.3 million has been raised from this event over the last 10 years and we’re hoping to set new records this year,” said Illinois Torch Run Director and Sherman Police Chief Eric Smith.  “It’s a wonderfully fun event that works.”

A total amount raised in the Chicago area was not available.