Every athlete I know has grown from being part of this. It’s more than just sports. It changes lives.”

Kaiya Witt

The morning crowd at Dunkin’ in Hastings came with coffee orders, donut cravings, and something more meaningful in mind as community members gathered once again for the annual Cop on a Rooftop fundraiser benefiting Special Olympics Minnesota.
The “on a rooftop” designation is a little different for Hastings. A few years ago, the decision was made to not make the climb to the top of the building out of safety concerns with the way the building and it’s roof is laid out, so, while their spirits were on cloud nine from the personal interactions and support of the event, their feet were planted firmly on the ground.
Law enforcement officers, local athletes, volunteers, and supporters spent the morning connecting with residents and collecting donations, all in support of programs that give athletes with disabilities the opportunity to compete, grow, and thrive through sports.
This year’s Hastings fundraiser brought in $1,373.07, contributing to a statewide total of $53,311.43 raised during the annual event. Prior Lake claimed the top fundraising spot in Minnesota with $3,115.88 collected.
While the event may appear simple on the surface, officers stationed near the Dunkin’ drive-thru, volunteers greeting customers, and supporters stopping by with donations, the mission behind it carries deep meaning for the athletes and families involved.
The Hastings Sharks delegation once again played a major role in the event, continuing a local tradition that has become a familiar part of spring in the community. Throughout the morning, cars rolled through the drive-thru as volunteers thanked donors with coupons for free donuts and coffee incentives for larger contributions.
The fundraiser supports Special Olympics Minnesota programs across the state, helping athletes participate in competitions, training opportunities, and events that build confidence and friendships far beyond the playing field.
“The money goes to Special Olympics Minnesota,” Kaiya Witt said in last year’s event coverage. “It helps fund our competitions. It lets our athletes keep playing the sports they love. It builds confidence and gives them a real sense of accomplishment.”
That mission continues to resonate in Hastings, where support for the local athletes has steadily grown over the years.
For many athletes, Special Olympics becomes much more than a sports program. It becomes a place where confidence grows, friendships form, and goals that once felt out of reach suddenly become possible.
“Every athlete I know has grown from being part of this,” Witt said previously. “It’s more than just sports. It changes lives.”
One athlete who continues to inspire the local program is Michael Froehling, who represented Team USA during the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Italy last year. Froehling competed in snowshoe racing and returned home with a gold medal, a silver medal, and a fifth-place finish on the world stage.
His accomplishments brought excitement to the Hastings Sharks organization and added another layer of pride to this year’s fundraiser.
Last year, Witt described the impact Froehling’s success had on fellow athletes and younger participants entering the program.
“Watching Michael succeed was huge,” Witt said. “It’s inspired the rest of our athletes to dream bigger. It shows them what’s possible.”
Though Froehling’s international success was not the centerpiece of this year’s event, his story remains a reminder of what can grow from local support and community fundraising efforts like Cop on a Rooftop.
For many residents stopping by Dunkin’, the event has become an annual tradition. Some drivers dropped loose cash into donation buckets while others handed over larger contributions before heading off to work. Volunteers chatted with customers, athletes posed for photos, and officers thanked donors as traffic rolled steadily through the lot.
The atmosphere remained upbeat and welcoming throughout the morning, with community members taking time to learn more about the athletes and the programs their donations support.
Beyond raising money, organizers say the event also helps raise awareness about Special Olympics and the opportunities available to athletes across Minnesota.
Programs continue year-round, offering athletes opportunities in basketball, swimming, track and field, gymnastics, snowshoe racing, and many other sports. The organization also relies heavily on volunteers, coaches, and community support to keep those opportunities accessible.
The annual Cop on a Rooftop fundraiser has become one of the most visible partnerships between law enforcement and Special Olympics Minnesota. Officers from departments across the state participate each year, helping connect communities with local athletes while raising critical funding.
This year’s statewide total once again highlighted the generosity of Minnesotans and the continued support for Special Olympics programs. While Hastings did not lead the fundraising totals, local supporters still showed up in meaningful ways, helping contribute to a successful statewide effort.
The event also arrives during an exciting period for Special Olympics Minnesota as preparations continue for the 2026 USA Games, which will be hosted in Minnesota. The games are expected to bring athletes from across the country to compete on a national stage, creating even more visibility for programs throughout the state.
In Hastings, supporters say events like Cop on a Rooftop remind people that even small donations can make a difference for athletes and families.
As the morning wrapped up and volunteers packed away donation tables, the feeling around the event remained the same as it has in years past, a strong sense of community support for athletes who continue to inspire those around them.
The fundraiser may center around coffee, donuts, and officers perched on rooftops, but for the athletes involved, it represents something much bigger, a community willing to invest in their success, celebrate their accomplishments, and stand beside them every step of the way.