Special Events: St. Patrick's Party & Fundraiser For Special Olympics

Des Plaines Police invite and encourage the public to attend the 3rd annual "St. Patrick’s Day" Dinner/Dance Fundraiser benefiting the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run For Special Olympics, Friday, March 2, 2007, from 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm at the Ben Stein Center, Maryville Academy, 1150 N. River Rd. (off Central Rd.). Tickets, which are $30 per person, are available by calling Crime Prevention Officer Tim Doherty at 847-391-5367.

A festive evening is guaranteed with entertainment being provided compliments of Rebecca McCarthy School of Dance, the Bagpipes & Drums of the Emerald Society, the music of The Larkin & Moran Brothers Irish Band, and DJ Daniel Duda. A traditional, delicious Irish dinner will be catered by Harrington’s and will feature Harrington’s famous corned beef, cabbage wedges, boiled potatoes in the jacket, dark rye and sour dough bread with butter, horseradish, mustard, and apple pie. Beer, wine, soda, coffee, and tea are included. While tables of ten will be available for $300, seating is limited so reservations must be made early.

According to Crime Prevention Officer Tim Doherty, who is coordinating the event, every summer the Des Plaines Police Department takes part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, the largest fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois, a competition in 19 different sporting activities involving adults with intellectual disabilities and related developmental disabilities.

Each year more than 3,000 Officers in Illinois run more than 1,500 miles carrying the Flame of Hope through the streets of their hometowns and deliver it to the Special Olympics State Summer Games.

Approximately 10 – 12 Des Plaines Police Officers participated in the run last year receiving the torch from Mount Prospect local law enforcement personnel in the vicinity of Golf and Mt. Prospect Rd., passing it relay style through Des Plaines, and relaying it to Park Ridge Law Enforcement personnel in the vicinity of Northwest Hwy and I- 294. The 2007 Illinois Torch Run is scheduled for June 2007.

Des Plaines Police are determined to raise $15,000 for the Illinois Torch Run/Special Olympics, optimistic that the St. Patrick’s Day event alone will raise $10,000.

"In the past the Police Department solely raised money for the Torch Run by selling T-shirts. We decided that we wanted to raise additional funds and with Maryville being conveniently located and accessible, we felt it would be an excellent opportunity to host the St. Patrick’s Day Fundraiser. It should be a great evening with great food, raffle prizes, and super music- all going to a great cause," Officer Doherty said.

The following are major sponsors for the St. Patrick’s Day Fundraiser: Pesche’s Flower Shop, Garden Center & Greenhouses, Inc.; Lennar Communities; Town & Country Distributors/Miller Brewing Co.; Stone Gate Condominiums; Pepsi; R. Franczak & Associates; Albrecht Enterprises, Inc; Advantage Chrysler, Jeep, & Dodge of Des Plaines; Littelfuse; Anderson Lock; and Alderman Dick Sayad.

According to Officer Doherty, the Police Department is hoping to continue making the fundraiser an annual event. "We look forward to hosting the St. Patrick’s Day Party yearly, particularly because we know that our efforts ultimately benefit the athletes of the Special Olympics Illinois. What could be more rewarding than helping Special Olympians experience sports, camaraderie, and competition while building life skills?"

Living In Des Plaines  |  Your Local Government  |  Your City Services
Economic Development  |  Online City Reference Desk
  Search  |  Site Map  |  Home

Send feedback to the City by clicking here.
Click here to report a website technical issue.

This site is best viewed in Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher or Firefox 2.0 or higher.

Site Use Policy

All information © 2008 Des Plaines, Illinois