Lace up your running shoes Charles County: It’s time for the 2011 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Maryland hosted by Sheriff Rex Coffey and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.
On June 9, the Sheriff’s Office will lead Charles County in escorting the Special Olympics Maryland Flame of Hope through La Plata as it makes its way to the Opening Ceremony of the Summer Games at Towson University. Three routes – a 4-mile route for runners and a 5-mile or 2.5-mile route for walkers – depart Texas Roadhouse in La Plata at 9 a.m. and return there for lunch and other refreshments being provided by the restaurant’s staff and other local businesses.
Registration is not required. Participants must buy a Torch Run T-shirt or hat and arrive at Texas Roadhouse by 8:45 a.m. to participate in a group photo. All participants must wear their Torch Run apparel. Shirts are $10 and are available in sizes from small to XXXL. Hats are $10. Runners can keep pace alongside police and correctional officers and US Marines stationed at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Indian Head. Participants may also show their support for Special Olympics at a slower pace on one of the walker routes; The Torch Run is a family-friendly event so youngsters and strollers are welcome. Athletes from Special Olympics also participate in the event.
The Torch Run in Charles County is one of multiple Torch Runs throughout Maryland, all of which converge at Towson to light the cauldron at the Summer Games Opening Ceremony. Charles County’s, however, has the distinction of being the largest Torch Run in the state for the last four years and has helped Maryland achieve record-breaking fundraising success. At the Law Enforcement Torch Run International Conference in Long Beach, Calif., last October, Special Olympics officials recognized the Maryland chapter of the organization for raising more money than any chapter in the world for the fourth consecutive year and for becoming the first chapter to exceed $4 million. Maryland’s donation was significantly higher than even the second-place fundraising state, New Jersey, which raised $2.7 million. Special Olympics has chapters in all 50 states and in more than 30 countries.
Charles County has a significant role in Special Olympics Maryland’s success. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office, which raised $16,178 for Special Olympics last year, has been recognized as the top fundraising organization in the state for the last four years and in just five years has sold nearly $80,000 in Torch Run T-shirts.
“Having the largest Torch Run in the state and being part of the most successful Special Olympics fundraising branch in the world tells me three things,” said Sheriff Coffey. “We’ve got a compassionate community willing to open its wallets and its hearts to a good cause; the officers who coordinate this for us put their heart and soul into its success; and this is truly a can’t-miss event in our community.”
To purchase a Torch Run T-shirt or hat, call Sgt. Schmidt at 301-609-6531 or Sgt. Proctor at 240-299-5207 or e-mail ProctorA@ccso.us. The Sheriff’s Office raises money for the Torch Run primarily through T-shirt and hat sales but also accepts donations. Citizens who want to make a donation may mail it to the following address: Charles County Sheriff’s Office/Attention Sgt. Proctor/PO Box 189/La Plata, MD 20646.
To learn more about the brave and inspiring athletes who participate in Special Olympics Maryland, visit www.somd.org. Pictures of previous Torch Runs are on the Charles County
