Police raise funds for Special Olympics

At 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, a ladder truck from the Madison Fire Department will lift UW Police Detective Carol Ann Glassmaker and Sgt. Kari Sasso, along with two city firefighters, up to the roof of the ShopKo store at 7401 Mineral Point Road.

The four will remain there until noon on Sunday, Dec. 12, or until their goal of raising $7,500 in the fourth annual ShopKo Rooftop Torch Run Challenge for Special Olympics Wisconsin has been reached.

Volunteers from both departments will cheer them on and collect donations from shoppers. McGruff the Crime Dog and Hot Shot, a member of the UW Police mounted unit, will make an appearance from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11.

Participation in charity events is nothing new for members of the UW Police Department. They have braved the frigid waters of Lake Monona to raise money in the annual Polar Plunge, participated in runs and rides, and adopted a big family each year during the holiday season. The department has had a Red Cross “One A Week” club for many years, and each year it exceeds the goal of donating 52 pints of blood.

Some officers volunteer for the holiday “Shop With A Cop” program, in which they are assigned a child to take shopping. The kids are given $150.

There also are staff members who volunteer to ring bells for the Salvation Army.

Chief Sue Riseling adds that the police department also achieved a significant increase in its rate of participation in the Partners in Giving campaign this year.