Law enforcement officers from around Southern California will take part in a distinctive Olympic torch relay, as they bring the “Flame of Hope” to Long Beach State to open the Special Olympics 2009 Summer Games, June 13 and 14. The Torch Run started yesterday with the Southern Leg that originated at the Chula Vista Police Headquarters. The final two legs, Northern and Los Angeles (Central), will begin on June 8 in Paso Robles and San Pedro, respectively. Accompanying the torch runners is a 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid, which is the prototype for next year’s model and was displayed at the New York auto show.
Summer Games begins with the Opening Ceremony on June 13 at 10 a.m. where the “Flame of Hope” will arrive by an LA County Sheriff’s Dept. helicopter. An LA Sheriff’s Dept. deputy will rappel from the helicopter to the ground with torch in hand. Once the torch reaches the ground, it will be re-lit and then light the cauldron to signify the games’ opening. CHP Officer Ron Thatcher and Special Olympics athletes Kevin O’Donnell, Sam Mesa and Marisa Watkins will participate in the lighting of the cauldron.
“Law enforcement officers always bring great attitude and morale to Special Olympics and our Summer Games,” said Bill Shumard, President and CEO for Special Olympics Southern California. “Their support and participation is always something we look forward to, and the torch arrival by the LA County Sheriff’s Dept. helicopter will be something to see.”
In addition, on June 12 at 1:30 p.m., the last leg of the central Law Enforcement Torch Run route will bring the “Flame of Hope” by boat across the Los Angeles-Long Beach Channel. The torch will start at LA Fire Department #112, 444 S. Harbor Blvd. in San Pedro, cross the channel, and arrive in Long Beach at 2:50 p.m. at the public dock next to Parker’s Lighthouse Restaurant at 429 Shoreline Village Drive. The Flame of Hope will then make its way by land to the CSULB campus. Los Angeles Police Department officer Gus Martinez and his son, Jason, a Special Olympics athlete, will escort the torch mid-channel and hand it off to a Long Beach Special Olympics athlete.
The Flame of Hope will stop in cities throughout the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys and Los Angeles. Click here to see the scheduled stops throughout the week.
More than 4,000 law enforcement officers will transport the torch more than 1,500 miles. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics worldwide. In 2008, officers raised more than $900,000 for Special Olympics Southern California. In addition to the Torch Run, money is also raised through activities such as Tip-A-Cop, Polar Plunges, Plane Pulls, Golf Tournaments, and 5/10k runs.