Local law enforcement officers took to the rooftop of Krispie Kreme Donuts Friday to raise money for the Special Olympics.
“Cops on a Donut Shop” is a national program, but this is the first year Lexington has joined other police and Krispie Kreme stores across the country.
Jayna Oakley is Torch Run Liaison for the Special Olympics.
She says the money raised will help 6,000 Special Olympic athletes in the state.
While donations were taken by the entrance to Krispie Kreme, the real attention was directed at the law enforcers standing on the roof.
“It’s our job to wave the people in, they can collect the money downstairs,” says Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Investigator Tom Shaw.
As far as playing on the standard cop and a donut shop joke, Shaw says, “Any clever gimmick that we can be involved in to help raise money for a good cause is a good thing. As long as the roofs don’t get any higher.”
This isn’t the first time local law enforcement agencies have partnered with the Special Olympics.
They also carry the torch around the state for the Summer Special Olympic Games.
The 2012 Summer Games for Kentucky were last week in Richmond.
“It’s great when we did the torch run and just see the smiles on the athletes’ faces,” Rob Turner, Lieutenant for the University of Kentucky Police Department comments. “It’s well worth it.”
Tonya Cornett is an athlete and coach for the Special Olympics.
She has participated in the games for 21 years.
“Our gymnastics is getting ready to do a lot of things, we’re getting ready for nationals and world games in a few years,” Cornett says.
She adds to support the Special Olympics is a very big deal because it covers expenses needed to run the program.
