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Law enforcement agencies to carry Special Olympics Flame of Hope throughout WNY communities this week

by jmaloni

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Mon, Jun 1st 2015 10:20 am

Weeklong Law Enforcement Torch Run For Special Olympics in Western New York

More than 600 officers to participate

For the 29th year in New York, law enforcement officers will carry the Special Olympics torch throughout various communities leading up to opening ceremonies at the State Summer Games. The cauldron will be lit June 5 in Brockport, signifying the opening of the 2015 Games.

The Special Olympics torch will begin its journey today in Lewiston, starting at Niagara University's Kiernan Center at 2 p.m. On Tuesday, the torch will travel through Hamburg, in honor of former agent Joe Dubreville, starting at Hamburg Town Hall at noon. On Wednesday, the torch will travel through the streets of West Seneca, starting at West Seneca PD at noon. The torch will continue its journey on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Clarence Trooper Barracks in memory of Trooper Kevin P. Dobson, ending with a celebration at Tully's. Thursday is the final leg of the Torch Run as the torch will pass through Amherst at 8 a.m., Tonawanda at 9 a.m., and Buffalo at 10 a.m. in memory of Special Agent William M. Fallon. It will continue to Canisius College at 11 a.m. and finish its journey at UB South Campus.

On Wednesday, June 10, the Law Enforcement Torch Run will cross international borders as organizers pass the torch to Canadian law enforcement partners. The run will begin on Goat Island and end in the middle of the Rainbow Bridge as both sides light the cauldron

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest grassroots fundraising and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics in the world. In addition to carrying the "Flame of Hope" to their local and state Special Olympic games, law enforcement officials organize and conduct additional fundraising initiatives, such as "Polar Plunges," "Over the Edge," "Cops on Top," "Law & Orders" and golf outings. In 2014, more than $46 million was raised internationally through LETR events. More than $1.8 million was raised last year for our athletes through LETR fundraisers in New York.

Since its inception, more than $8 million has been raised through LETR fundraisers providing training, equipment, venues, uniforms and transportation for hundreds of thousands of Special Olympics New York athletes for a quarter of a century. Special Olympics New York has 65,665 athletes who compete and train in Olympic-style sports throughout the year, always at no cost to them or their families.

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