It takes special people to help a special cause. 

At least that’s what the Ames and ISU Police Departments are aiming to do during the first Cops on the Rooftop fundraiser in Ames. The two police departments will stake out the Dunkin’ Donuts rooftop and entrances to raise money for their annual Law Enforcement Torch Run, an event in May that donates its funds to Special Olympics Iowa. 

Special Olympics Iowa serves more than 12,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities in the state.

The event will take place at 15 Dunkin’ Donuts locations throughout Iowa on Friday. Ames and ISU Police will take their post at the Ames Dunkin’ Donuts location from 6 to 11 a.m.

“We’ve done similar events like this before at Walmart and Target,” said Jason Tuttle, investigations commander for the Ames Police Department. “I enjoy events like this. It shows the softer side of what we do every day.”

Dunkin’ Donuts has hosted Cops on a Rooftop for the past 13 years in Illinois and four years in Wisconsin. 

“This is a wonderful, feel-good event in which police officers give their free time to increase awareness of and raise money for Special Olympics athletes, volunteers and families, as well as entertain their communities from the rooftops,” said Vicky DeSalvo, field marketing manager for Dunkin’ Donuts.  

Lindsay Eastin, Law Enforcement Torch Run marketing and event coordinator, said that the run started in Kansas in 1981 and has evolved into the largest grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics. 

“We are looking forward to our new partnership with Dunkin’ Donuts and of course having fun,” Eastin said. “This event is a great way for law enforcement to interact and have fun with the community.”