Most Mid-Missourians on Wednesday were focused on how today's predicted weather would affect them.
For four men who were perched atop the DoubleTree Hotel for a Special Olympics fundraiser, the forecast of snow and ice may have been even more daunting.
On Wednesday, Sgt. Randy Werner of the Jefferson City Police Department, Capt. John Wheeler of the Cole County Sheriff's Department, Corp.Mike Halford of the Missouri Highway Patrol and Lt. Charlie Davis with the Missouri Department of Corrections went to the top of the Monroe Street hotel pool house at 6 a.m. Wednesday as part of the annual Cops on Top fundraising drive for Special Olympics.
Their plan was to stay atop the hotel until noon Thursday. While they are stationed on top of the hotel, volunteers were taking donations at the hotel's front desk. The group hopes to raise $10,000 from the event.
For many years, the event was held on the Coke billboard at the Coca-Cola building off of Whitton Expressway, but it was moved this year because of roof work at that building.
The group hopes to raise awareness and funding for Special Olympics through the Law Enforcement Torch Run program.
They are particularly out to raise awareness of the Special Olympics Missouri signature event, the Polar Bear Plunge, which will be held Saturday in Osage Beach.
Werner and others will participate in the "Super Plunge," where they will plunge 24 times in 24 hours.
All proceeds stay in the central Missouri area and benefit Special Olympic athletes.