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Still Running Strong... 23 Years of the Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run

They are “Guardians of the Flame.” For the past 23 years, they’ve proudly carried the “Flame of Hope,” lighting the way to acceptance for Special Olympics athletes throughout the Commonwealth – and officially “kicking off” the annual Summer Games!

But for the more than 3,000 officers involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, it’s about more than carrying the torch for Special Olympics Virginia. It’s a mission; a serious commitment by the Virginia Law Enforcement community to pay homage to our heroes – the Special Olympics Virginia athletes and their families.

This year, they’ll again kick-off the Torch Run with the lighting of the flame May 22 in Norfolk. For the following 16 days, they’ll run the torch more than 2,000 miles, from every corner of the state. At 2 p.m. June 6, officers from the Metro Richmond area will gather at a special Final Leg ceremony at the state Capitol. From there, they’ll run to the University of Richmond and join the more than 1,500 Summer Games athletes for the Opening Ceremony.

“Volunteer to Cheer” on our amazing Torch Runners at the Capitol on June 6, or at that evening’s Opening Ceremony! Stay tuned for more information on these and other opportunities!

In 2007, the Law Enforcement Torch Run raised more than $800,000; since 1986, the Torch Run has raised more than $9.8 million for Special Olympics Virginia.

Support the Torch Run and Have the Chance to Win a Harley!

The Hanover County Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with Virginia Law Enforcement Agencies, will raffle a 2008 Harley-Davidson FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic motorcycle! Tickets are $20 each and only 2500 tickets will be sold. The drawing will be held Sept. 20, 2008, at 5 p.m. at Richmond Harley-Davidson in Glen Allen, Virginia. For more information, click here.

Local Law Enforcement “Do Time” for Special Olympics

“Bad Boys, Bad Boys, What You Gonna Do? What You Gonna Do When They Come For You?” Raise money for Special Olympics Virginia! Many local law enforcement officers from several Metro Richmond agencies will be doing just that Saturday, May 18, at the Midlothian Wal-Mart, located at 900 Wal-Mart Way, during the 3rd Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run “Lock-Up” for Special Olympics Virginia. From 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the tables will turn on these area officers when they’re “arrested” and sentenced to raise their own bail – in the form of donations to Special Olympics Virginia. All are welcome to come out for the event – and help “bail” out some of Virginia’s finest. For more information on the Lock-Up or the Law Enforcement Torch Run, please contact PR Director Holly Claytor at 804-346-5544 or hclaytor@specialolympicsva.org.

The annual Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference was held in Virginia Beach Nov. 18 and 19. We hope everyone who attended enjoyed the chance to network with other torch runners, as well as learn valuable information to make your torch run efforts more efficient and effective. If you attended the Powers of Partnerships sessions and would like to download the class resources, click here. If you have any questions about what you learned at the conference or any comments, e-mail Debbie Apperson. Also, we are trying to increase participation at the conference so if you have any suggestions of the best time of the year to host the conference we would love to hear that as well. On behalf of everyone at Special Olympics Virginia, we wish you and yours a happy holiday season. We look forward to an exciting 2008 Torch Run year!

Click here for Torch Run Newsletter - Nov. 15, 2007