VBHPD CARRIES THE TORCH FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS ILLINOIS

VBHPD CARRIES THE TORCH FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS ILLINOIS

  • Posted by Barrington Hills
  • On May 10, 2018

BARRINGTON HILLS POLICE DEPARTMENT

SPECIAL OLYMPICS TORCH RUN 2018

On June 10, 2018 the Barrington Hills Police Department will take part in the Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR).  Leg 15 (route) will begin at the Barrington Hills Police Department at 8:00 AM and proceed west on Illinois Route 62 to Illinois Route 31, proceeding North to Knox Park in McHenry (city of). The total distance is 18.2 miles.

 

The Torch Run includes an annual intrastate relay conducted by officers representing every branch of law enforcement across the state from local police officers to FBI agents.  Approximately 3,000 officers will carry the Flame of Hope nearly 1,500 miles from June 10th to June 15th, running through thousands of Illinois communities via 23 different legs (routes) to its final destination:  Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games on June 15th in Normal, Illinois. The Flame of Hope symbolizes Special Olympics’ bright vision: shining a light on the talents and abilities of people with intellectual difficulties.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the single largest year-round fundraising movement benefiting Special Olympics Illinois.  The Torch run has two goals:  to raise money and to gain awareness for the athletes who participate in Special Olympics Illinois.  The LETR has raised more than $47 million over 32 years while increasing awareness of Special Olympics athletes and their accomplishments.

LETR began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon created the Torch Run.  He thought the Torch Run would help law enforcement be active in the community and support Special Olympics Kansas.  In 1983, Chief LaMunyon presented the program to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).  They decided to endorse Torch run and became the “Founding Law Enforcement Organization”.  With the IACP’s support, LETR became the movement’s largest public awareness and fundraising group for Special Olympics.

Residents can support this worthy cause by visiting Torch Run’s website to make a donation (www.soill.org/law-enforcement-torch-run) or simply mail a check payable to Special Olympics Illinois to the attention of Sergeant Ron Riedel,  Barrington Hills Police Department, 112 Algonquin Road, Barrington Hills, Illinois 60010.    Donations are accepted all year long.