‘Cops at Donut Shops’ fundraiser helps Warner Robins police raise money for Special Olympics

WARNER ROBINS — National Donut Day on June 5 brought the Warner Robins Police Department to Dunkin’ to celebrate. But they were there for donations, not donuts. 

Donations are made through a grassroots fundraising organization Law Enforcement Torch Run. Since 1981, the organization has used a variety of events with local law enforcement nationwide, including polar plunges and tip-a-cop, to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Since its inception, LETR has raised over $1 billion for Special Olympics programs, and Warner Robins Police has worked with the organization for over 20 years. 

Locally, the department fundraises through bass fishing tournaments, a glow 5k run, and merchandise sales. In total, they raise around $10,000 a year for the cause.

The Special Olympics provides training and competition in a variety of sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Donations sponsor athletes to travel and participate in state games. The next one slated for Georgia athletes is the 2026 USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

On Friday, Officers were stationed at every Dunkin’ location in town, Watson Boulevard, Russell Parkway and Highway 96. Their mission: collecting donations for Special Olympics during the department’s annual Cops at Donut Shops event.

At the Watson location, officers were in good spirits, conversing with the near-constant stream of cars in the drive-through lane. Drivers gave out cash donations, and officers gave away bracelets and stickers. 

Inside, another officer worked the drive-through window. In previous events, officers also worked the front counter.

The event moved from Krispy Kreme to Dunkin’ 12 years ago, Community Initiatives Officer Greg Martin said, and officers used to climb the building.

“This year, we changed to ‘Cops at Donut Shops,’ because when we first started this, we actually got on top of donut shops. We don’t do that anymore,” Martin said.

Martin described the event as jovial in an interview with the Houston Home Journal. He estimated $2,300 in donations, on par with previous year averages.

“It has been awesome, a lot of smiles, a lot of happiness. At first it’s like, ‘Why are the police here?’ Then we explain why we’re here and you can see their expressions change,” Martin said.

Officer Lance Slater, a newcomer to the department’s patrol division, said stepping outside his typical role was a refreshing way to spend a Friday morning.

“It’s nice not to be out here to police, but to actually get to know people in a different environment,” Slater said. “I’ve enjoyed being able to talk to people outside the normal capacity. Instead of running into people on potentially the worst day of their life, seeing them on a normal day is nice.”

Officer Brad Boardwell, with 26 years of patrol experience, said interacting with the public at the fundraiser is vastly different than during a call. He said it may be the only chance somebody interacts with the police on a good day.

“We only have a certain amount of time to interact with people, because we’re busy, we have other calls we have to go on. Now we actually have time to talk to somebody for a few minutes, get to know them on a different level,” Boardwell said.

Martin, who leads community outreach projects for the police department, also volunteers for the Special Olympics and serves as the Georgia LETR’s assistant director. He is thrilled to see the end result of smiles and joy during competitions.

“It’s a rewarding experience for us to know that we’re part of something much bigger than just us. It’s all to help raise awareness for inclusion, to help support the athletes in everything they do,” Martin said.

The online fundraiser is still accepting donations.