Members of the Clermont Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol and multi-agency members of the Mid-Florida SWAT Team came together on Thursday, April 2^nd, to participate in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida.

The Torch Run is a yearly law enforcement fundraising effort that supports Special Olympics athletes through relay runs held around the globe. The Clermont Police Department participates in several “Tip-A-Cop” events hosted by area restaurants throughout the year to help in the fundraising goals. The state of Florida is recognized as the top state not only in the nation, but in the world for meeting and excelling beyond fundraising goals for the Special Olympics.

The opening ceremonies, held at the Special Olympics Headquarters located at 1915 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont, were led by Ken Roop, State Director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Welcoming the attendees were Clermont Police Chief John Graczyk, and President/CEO of Special Olympics Florida Meghan McLean.

The group of walkers and runners, led by Chief John Graczyk, took the annual trek that led to Oakley Seaver Drive, Hancock Road, and Legends Way. The participants took a brief recess at Legends Way and Don Wickham Drive to allow the supporters to regroup as one in unity and teamwork while crossing the finish line together at the Special Olympics Headquarters.

Special Olympics is a global organization that serves athletes with intellectual disabilities while working with hundreds of thousands of volunteers and coaches each year. Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Those activities give the participants continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendships.

The Clermont Police Department has been a long-time advocate and support team for the Special Olympics of Florida organization through fundraising and participating in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. The Torch Run gains the support of over 300 Florida law enforcement agencies each year. With nearly 5,000 police officers participating statewide, the run includes a 1500-mile relay through 67 Florida counties before ending at the opening ceremony of the annual state summer games. The state summer games begin on May 15^th at the ESPN Wide World of Sports and USTA National Campus, 700 South Victory Way, Orlando.

Visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org to learn more about the non-profit organization and its mission statement.

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