Officers run to benefit Special Olympics

GAINESVILLE - Officers from the Hall County Sheriff's Office and the Gainesville Police Department recently participated in the 2012 Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Georgia.

The two departments raised over $700, which will help athletes and their families offset the cost of attending the games.

The relay began with Hall County Sheriff Steve Cronic and Gainesville Police Chief Brian Kelly lighting the Olympic Torch at Hall County Fire Station #12 on Winder Highway and ended at Blackshear Place Baptist Church, 4.3 miles later.

"It's an honor to be a part of this event and to help these athletes in their quest to compete in the Special Olympics," said Cronic. "Their courage to overcome life's challenges is an inspiration to us all, and it brings us great pleasure to support them..."

Chief Brian Kelly added, "The members of the Gainesville Police Department and I were honored and privileged to be a small part of such a great program. The enthusiasm displayed by of all of the athletes, parents, and support staff was very humbling and a joy to see. We wish all of the athletes continued strength and speed as they compete in the Special Olympics and as they continue through life's journeys."

History/Background

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is the largest annual fundraising event benefiting Special Olympics Georgia. More than 1,000 law enforcement officers from over 100 agencies take part in a 1,000 mile, two week relay to pass the Special Olympics "Flame of Hope" across the State. Eleven separate relays converge at Emory University (Atlanta) during opening ceremonies of the Georgia Summer Games, where the torch is then passed to a Special Olympics athlete who lights the Olympic cauldron, signifying the start of the gam
The Torch Run began in 1981 when Richard LaMunyon, the Police Chief of Wichita, KS, saw an urgent need to raise funds for and increase awareness of Special Olympics. The idea was to provide local law enforcement officers with an opportunity to volunteer with Special Olympics in the communities where they lived and worked. In 1984, the International Association of Chiefs of Police endorsed Special Olympics as its official charity through the Torch Run. Today, all 50 states and over 40 countries have their own versions of the Torch Run.