As they might say, the torch must go on.
Participation may have been down for this round, but the spirits were high for those taking part in this year’s Law Enforcement Torch Run For Special Olympics Ontario.
Cadet Jeff Dudley said this year fundraisers were done at the Foodland and No-Frills groceries stores in Mount Forest and the Foodland store in Palmerston.
As well, the Fergus McDonald’s restaurant held a Toonies for Torches event.
This year the event raised $902.45 for the Special Olympics. Runs were planned for Rockwood, Fergus, Mount Forest and Palmerston.
“The communities in Wellington County have been great,” Dudley said.
He cited the RV provided by McPhail’s of Harriston which was used to transport participants.
While collections were planned on route, Dudley said the main focus this year was to make the event more visible.
Which, he said, was one of the reasons to experiment running the event on a weekend, instead of the typical weekday.
He suggested that holding the event during the week means “people often don’t get a chance to see the run. It also gets the word out that the Special Olympics exist.”
He noted the Wellington OPP is also planning to send a group to participate in the last 10 kilometre run to this year’s Ontario Special Olympics in Windsor July 23 to 25.
He said quite a few special needs individuals take part in the whole run.
About the torch run
In its most general form, the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run is a community based, province-wide event that sees the Flame of Hope being carried right across Ontario by members of the law enforcement from communities right across the province.
The objective of this and other events is to raise funds for and awareness of the Special Olympics movement in Ontario.
All funds raised through torch run events are directed into program support that directly affects all community Special Olympics’ programs.
The Special Olympics stands as a leader in the field of intellectual disability and has sharpened the focus on its mission as not just "nice," but critical, not just as a Sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities, but also as an effective catalyst for social change.
Children and adults with intellectual disabilities, who participate in Special Olympics exhibit boundless courage and enthusiasm, enjoy the rewards of friendship and ultimately discover not only new abilities and talents but "their voices" as well.
Special Olympics is founded on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy and benefit from participation in individual and team Sports.
Special Olympics empowers people with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential and develop their skills through year-round Sports training and competition.
