With the cancellation of the 2020 SONC Summer Games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Special Olympics North Carolina, along with the support of hundreds of local law enforcement volunteers are hosting this year’s Torch Run Relay campaign virtually throughout May.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run raises both awareness and funding for Special Olympics North Carolina. The annual statewide Torch Run Relays carry the Flame of Hope throughout hundreds of communities every May, traditionally preceding the SONC Summer Games. Historically, thousands of law enforcement officials across the state run in this symbolic event as Guardians of the Flame, carrying and presenting the Flame of Hope to light the cauldron as the official start of the SONC Summer Games.
During the month of May, Special Olympics North Carolina invites the public and local law enforcement agencies to join the Keep the Hope Virtual Torch Run by walking, running, riding bikes or training on stationary home fitness equipment to keep the Flame of Hope burning in honor of Special Olympics North Carolina athletes. Each week, participants will be asked to log and post their miles on using an honor system and donate .25 cents per mile.
The law enforcement agency and individual that logs the most Keep the Hope miles and raises the most funds will receive an award. Participants are encouraged to share photos of their efforts wearing a North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run t-shirt on Facebook for friends, family and supporters to donate towards their Keep the Hope miles.
About the NC Law Enforcement Torch Run
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an international fundraising campaign for Special Olympics. Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition for more than 5.4 million children and adults around the world who have intellectual disabilities. Nearly 40,000 athletes participate in Special Olympics in North Carolina, making it one of the largest Special Olympics programs in the world.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics is officially endorsed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriff’s Association, the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association, the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, the National Association of School Resource Officers, NC Association of School Resource Officers, NC Department of Justice and the NC Department of Public Safety.
About Special Olympics North Carolina
Since 1968, the organization has used the transformative power of sports to improve the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Nearly 40,000 athletes in North Carolina inspire thousands of coaches, sports officials, local program committee members and event organizers involved in Special Olympics statewide. SONC offers year-round training and competition in 20 Olympic-type sports on local and state levels as well as health and wellness initiatives to improve the health status and increase access to community health resources for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Youth become agents of change through Unified Champion Schools, an education and sports-based program created by Special Olympics to build an inclusive environment among youth with and without intellectual disabilities as well as empower them to become youth leaders and create change in their community. Visit Special Olympics North Carolina at www.specialolympicsnc.com. Engage with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
