WHAT: 26th annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special OlympicsWHEN: Wednesday, April 15, 2009
WHERE: Collier County Law Enforcement Memorial in front of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Building J.
TIME: 7:45 a.m.
SUMMARY: Dozens of CCSO members will step it up as they set out on the Collier County leg of the Special Olympics Torch Run.
Participants will meet at the Law Enforcement Memorial outside CCSO at 7:15 a.m. The run will start immediately following remarks by Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk at 7:45 a.m.
Local Special Olympics athletes will join in the run, along with past Special Olympics athlete and now coach Michael Lynch, who has been running in the Torch Run for many years and who is expected to lead the first leg of this year’s run.
Runners from the Naples Police and Emergency Services Department and Marco Island Police Department are also invited to participate.
The runners will proceed to the city of Naples and then run up to the Lee County line, ending at around noon. There are several stops along the way and vehicles will be trailing the runners in case they need help. Water and snacks will be provided along the route.
The 15.2-mile run will end as CCSO members hand off the “Torch of Hope” at the Collier/Lee County line.
The focus of the local event is to bring awareness and support to Florida Special Olympics.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is the movement’s largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle, raising $34 million for Special Olympics programs around the world in 2008, according to the Special Olympics’ Web site.
