Maple Park Police Department again ranks 1st in raising money for Special Olympics Illinois

MAPLE PARK – The Maple Park Police Department may be small – its roster has one full-time employee and about six part-timers – but it knows how to pack a fundraising wallop.

A year after raising about $63,000 for Special Olympics Illinois, and thus becoming the top fundraiser in 2013, the Maple Park Police Department has topped every other state law enforcement agency again.

It raised $87,515.44 in 2014, an amount that not only earned it the distinction of being that year’s top fundraising department but also the first to earn that distinction for two consecutive years.

Chief Mike Acosta said for a “very small” department, the achievement “shows what heart the community has.” Sgt. Tony Ayala had similar sentiments. In a written statement, he described it as “such an honor to be part of a community with so much heart.”

Brad Sauer, Kane County’s director of emergency communications, presented a resolution recognizing Maple Park’s accomplishment at a recent County Board committee meeting.

“[We] had something special happen in Kane County,” the former Sugar Grove police chief said, noting he thought he was doing great when his department would raise $5,000 or $10,000.

The County Board is expected to approve the resolution at its May 12 meeting.

“I’m very proud of what my people have done,” Acosta said, including the supporters, sponsors and Special Olympics athletes in that group. “I couldn’t do it without the MacRunnelses and the group of people that they have.”

Jim MacRunnels, who coordinates the fundraising efforts with his wife, said they get help from a group of about 15 volunteers, and the support continues to grow.

"We wrangle a lot of our friends into helping, and they see the benefits that we do and the good that we do for Special Olympics, and they buy into it," MacRunnels said.

Fundraising events are held throughout the year and include a booth at the Kane County Flea Market every month, the polar plunge, and the Pulling for Special Olympics sporting clay/trap shoot in May, he said.

MacRunnels, who has attended the summer games, said he and his wife get a lot more for what they give.

“It’s competitive fun on the fundraising,” he said. “The incentive is to help everyone make more money for the cause.”

MacRunnels and Acosta said the department aims to raise $100,000 this year and to continue its trend of being the top fundraiser.

“We’re pushing for the three-peat,” MacRunnels said.

Know more

Visit www.pullingforspecialolympics.com for information about the Maple Park Police Department's upcoming fundraisers for Special Olympics.