The North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics has kicked off its 2016 campaign of raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics North Carolina.

“In 2015, law enforcement agencies from throughout North Carolina raised $1.2 million for Special Olympics North Carolina and our goal in 2016 is to eclipse $1.3 million,” said co-director of N.C. Torch Run, Claudia Morgan of the Winston-Salem Police Department. The Winston-Salem Police Department led the way in the fundraising efforts in 2015 with more than $46,500 raised.

The North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics unites officers in the law enforcement field from across the state in an effort to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics North Carolina.

The Torch Run efforts to raise funds include securing corporate sponsorships, collecting donations for T-shirts and hats, and hosting unique fundraising events such as building sits, polar plunges, Over the Edge and golf tournaments.

Each year, a unique T-shirt design is created for two types of shirts and made available for donations for a traditional cotton T-shirt and a tech running-style shirt.  A baseball hat is also available.

A Torch Run kickoff conference was held in January in Kernersville for law enforcement personnel from across the state to learn about the 2016 campaign and provide ideas for conducting a successful Torch Run.

Each summer, law enforcement officials carry the Flame of Hope across the state in the N.C. Torch Run Final Leg, culminating in the lighting of the cauldron to officially open the Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games in Raleigh. The 2,000-mile, month-long Torch Run Relay involves more than 2,500 law enforcement officers and personnel representing more than 200 law enforcement agencies across North Carolina. The 2016 SONC Summer Games will be June 3 – June 5 in Raleigh and Cary.

Globally, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is an annual fundraising and public education campaign conducted by law enforcement personnel that raises millions of dollars for Special Olympics in 35 countries, with the strongest support being in the United States and Canada. Since its inception in 1981, more than $500 million has been raised.

Well over 85,000 law enforcement officers make the Torch Run efforts a success, which helps Special Olympics fulfill its philosophy of never requiring its athletes to pay registration costs for their participation.

For more information about the Torch Run efforts in your community, contact Leslie Moyar at lmoyar@sonc.net or 800-843-6276, ext. 123.

–Submitted by Megan O’Donnell