CALLING ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT

On Monday, June 22nd, area law enforcement Officers will participate in the “Law Enforcement Torch Run” for Special Olympics. Scheduled to participate this year are Officers from North Ridgeville, Avon, Avon Lake – Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Post 47 – members of the United States Coast Guard and students from the Lorain County Community College Police Academy class. Organizers are still looking for more Departments and more Officers to participate.

The “Law Enforcement Torch Run” began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard La Munyon saw a need to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics. He conceived the idea of the Torch Run as a way to involve local law enforcement with the community and Special Olympics.After three successful runs in Kansas, La Munyon presented the idea to the International Association of Chief's of Police. With the IACP’s endorsement, the idea was launched nationally and today involves law enforcement personnel in all 50 states and about 25 countries throughout the world. This movement has become the largest grass roots fundraising program to benefit Special Olympics in the world.

The Torch Run will begin Monday morning at 8:30 in Avon, travel to the North Ridgeville border on Mills Rd, then through North Ridgeville and end at the Elyria post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
This is the third year this event has been held in Lorain County. Approximately $6,000.00 had been raised over the last two years. The money comes from the participants themselves, local merchants and businesses, and individuals throughout the communities. The proceeds benefit the Ohio Special Olympic state games, held in Columbus, Ohio.

In Ohio, Torch Run participants run or cycle one of six planned routes covering the state and leading to the Opening Ceremonies. If you are not close to a planned route we encourage your department to organize a satellite route in your community during the week of June 18 - 22. The officers carry the torch through a series of relays. The culmination of the run is the Final Leg in which all legs come together and carry the Torch to the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics Ohio State Summer Games.

Prior to the run, participants collect pledges and contributions and are often sponsored by service groups, schools and businesses that raise funds for the “Law Enforcement Torch Run”.

If anyone who works in Law Enforcement, including Police Officers, Corrections Officers, Probation Officers, Prosecutors etc. – are interested in participating in this event please contact Sgt. Vince Abt at the North Ridgeville Police Department at 440.327.2191.

EDITORS NOTE: TMC NEWS will give the first SIX Law Enforcement personnel who sign up for the “Law Enforcement Torch Run” and mention TMC NEWS a FREE GIFT CARD to Lone Tree Tavern in North Ridgeville.