By Karen Haave
When it comes to raising funds for Special Olympics Illinois, there’s no stopping Monee Police Sgt. Teresa Cancialosi and her posse of supporters. MPD’s coordinator for the 2024 Cop on a Rooftop, she organized yet another very successful fundraiser, raking in $3,776,72 at Monee Dunkin’, 5757 W. Monee-Manhattan Road.
The Monee Police Department had repeatedly been recognized by Special Olympics Illinois for its outstanding fundraising efforts. Among the other SOI events MPD supports are the Law Enforcement Torch Run, the annual Polar Plunge – when they take a dip in icy Lake Manteno – and Tip a Cop, when they work as wait staff to serve diners at Schoop’s Hamburgers in Monee. All tips received go to SPI.
This is Monee’s 10th year participating in Cop on a Rooftop, and it was even more special for them with a visit from local beloved SPI Ambassador Nick Lorenz.
“We all love seeing Nick Lorenz and were thrilled he could make it out to our event this year,” Cancialosi noted. “The best part of this event is raising as much money as we can for these athletes, all the while having a blast doing it.
“The hardest part for me is probably waking up at 1 a.m. to get everything squared away and set up before the event starts at 5 a.m. With the anticipation and excitement, I barely sleep the night before, but it is well-worth it! Plus, Dunkin’ always provides lots of necessary caffeine to keep myself and everyone else wide awake!”
MPD Ofc. Matthew Hoekstra injected some humor into the event by making a cut-out of his face, laminating it, and attaching it to a stick so that it could be seen over the top of the roof of Dunkin’.
“Their roof is not conducive to standing up there and being able to be seen from the ground.” she said. “It was slightly mortifying, yet really funny at the same time!
“I want to thank everyone who continues to support this great cause and comes out year-after-year to help us raise funds,” she added. “And, a big thank you to Chief Scott Koerner and Deputy Chief Anthony Lazzaroni for encouraging the police department to carry on the mission of Special Olympics. We would not be able to do what we do without the support of the village and our police administration.
“Everyone involved, from the beginning until the end, did an amazing job, and this event could not have come together any better. Each year, we try to improve and come up with new ideas to become more efficient. I am looking forward to next year’s Cop on a Rooftop and am already brainstorming!”
Monee Police Chief Scott Koerner voiced his pride and appreciation for his staff’s efforts on behalf of SPI, and said: “Sgt. Teresa Cancialosi and Deputy Chief Anthony Lazzaroni are the leaders of our Special Olympic events, including ‘Cop on a Rooftop.’ I don’t know how, but they just keep making it better every year. Thank you, Monee, for your support.”
In addition to Sgt. Cancialosi, others volunteering for the event included: Chad Koch, Ofc. Matthew Hoekstra, Laraway Communications Center Dispatcher Alison Kiedaisch, Monee Trustee John Henson, Monee EMA Tracey Henson, Sgt. Brent Cash, Ofc. Michael Shreffler, Ofc. William Little, Pamela Lorenz, and Nick Lorenz. Ofc. Robert Sepe and Ofc. Francisco Chavez helped with early morning setup, Cancialosi noted.
“Special thanks to Monee DPW for setting up our banner and dropping off the tables and chairs; Dunkin’ staff for all of their hard work; and our community for coming out strong to support the Monee PD and the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois.”
Cancialosi also said there were some “special guests,” including Village Trustees Scott Youdris, Michael Wilson, and Doug Horne, along with members of the Monee Chamber of Commerce and Monee Parks and Recs, numerous village employees, and former Mayor Jay Farquhar.”