Up on the rooftop
Second annual fundraiser a success
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HOUGHTON - Dunkin's Houghton outlet hosted its second annual Cop on a Rooftop Friday morning to support Special Olympics Michigan athletes.
Houghton City Police officers were joined by officers from Hancock City Police Dept, as well as personnel from the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC).
Carla White, with the MDOC, is also an executive council member with the Law Enforcement Torch Run. "This morning's event is through the Law Enforcement Torch Run," said White. "We are the largest grassroots fundraisers for Special Olympics in the world."
White said she has been involved with Special Olympics for the past 26 years.
Houghton Police Lieutenant Nick Roberts, co-organizer of the event, said this is his second. "This is our second year doing this," he said. "When Dunkin' Donuts arrived (in Houghton), so did this event."
Roberts said the local event also helps to support the Special Olympics Michigan Area 39 which serves athletes in Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, Ontonagon and Gogebic counties. The local program offers year-round sports training and competitions such as bowling, basketball and bocce. It relies heavily on community volunteers and coaches. "Today is the day police officers help support Special Olympics," Roberts said.
Roberts said, similar to last year, people have been very generous with donations. "We are getting lots of donations," he said, holding a blue pail filled with bills, "and we're asking for more." Roberts said people don't have to be generous only on the day of the Cop on a Rooftop. "You can be generous all over, at any time," he said. "We have other events coming up, too."
The next donation opportunity is coming up on Sept. 12, with a 5k run/walk. The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Flame of Hope 5K run/walk supporting Special Olympics Michigan Area 39 takes place in the Houghton/Keweenaw area on September 12. Local law enforcement and community members join together for this event to raise funds for local athletes.
"We have another 72-ounce jar of Thimbleberry jam, like last year, we'll be raffling off," Roberts said.
The giant, half-gallon jar was donated by the Wood'n Spoon, in Mohawk, who custom crafts the locally prized delicacy. Tickets for the raffle are $5, and 100% of the funds raised by the raffle go directly toward equipment, travel, and year-round sports training for the Special Olympics Area 39.