2017 Torch Run

On June 4, 2017, at 8:00am, the Barrington Hills Police Department will take part in Leg 15 of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. The run will begin at the Barrington Hills Police Department at 8:00 a.m. and end 18 miles later at Knox Park, in McHenry, Illinois. This will be just one of the twenty-three legs (routes) kicking off the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as law enforcement throughout Illinois will carry the Flame of Hope nearly 1,500 miles, running through hundreds of communities to the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games on June 9, in Bloomington-Normal.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the single largest year-round fundraising vehicle benefiting Special Olympics Illinois and has two goals: to raise money and to gain awareness for the athletes who participate in Special Olympics Illinois.

Approximately 3,000 officers representing every branch of law enforcement across the state from local police officers to FBI agents are involved in the Torch Run. In addition to donations for running, officers raise money in various ways throughout the year, such as the Polar Plunge, Plane Pull, Truck Convoy, Tip-A-Cop events, golf tournaments and more.

The Torch Run began in 1981, when Wichita Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw a need to raise funds for, and awareness of, Kansas Special Olympics. Illinois became involved in the Torch Run in 1986, with less than 100 runners carrying the torch along five legs, but the seed was planted for future growth. Since 2015, the Illinois Torch Run has consistently raised $4 million for the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois.

Across the United States, law enforcement officers carry the Special Olympics Torch on through blizzards in Alaska, the daunting Florida Everglades, the endless farm lands of the Midwest, and the deserts of Arizona to bring the torch to the Opening Ceremonies of their state’s Summer Special Olympics Games.

With the worldwide dedication of more than 97,000 police officers, Secret Service and FBI agents, military police, sheriffs, state troopers, prison guards and other law enforcement personnel in 50 states, and 46 nations, more than $51 million is generated annually and raises huge amounts of awareness for Special Olympics athletes.

Donations can be made payable to “Special Olympics Illinois” and sent to the Barrington Hills Police Department – Attention Torch Run, 112 Algonquin Road, Barrington Hills, Illinois 60010. To volunteer for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, or if you would like additional information, please contact Sergeant Ron Riedel, at the Barrington Hills Police Department, 847-551-3006, or email at rriedel@vbhpd.net.

Additionally, if you would like to purchase a Harley Davidson Raffle ticket for $10.00, please contact Sergeant Ron Riedel. The winner of the Harled Davidson Raffle will receive a 2017 HD Street Glide, valued at more than $20,000. The drawing will be held on Friday, October 20, 2017, at 1:00p.m., at which time six tickets (finalists) will be drawn. One of the finalists will win the new Harley and the others will receive a big-screen HDTV, valued at $700/each, at an event to be announced later.