Bradley Beach Police show support for  Special Olympics New Jersey
 

 

About The Torch Run

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey is a statewide campaign coordinated and managed by all divisions of Law Enforcement officers and officials from throughout the state. Through their efforts, events are conducted year round by the Law Enforcement Community to raise funds for the Special Olympics Movement, serving the athletes of New Jersey. In addition to fundraising, Law Enforcement volunteer at athlete events year round while serving as ambassadors in local communities.

History

In 1982, the late Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Officer Steven Vitale was asked to take photos at a local Special Olympics competition in New Jersey. He was so moved by the determination exhibited by the athletes that he asked other police officers to volunteer at the Summer Games. In 1984, the first New Jersey Torch Run was conceived to raise funds and public awareness for the Special Olympics New Jersey program. The course ran from Liberty State Park in Jersey City to Rutgers Stadium in New Brunswick through eight towns covering 43 miles and raising $7,000. In each succeeding year, the dollar amount became greater and the number of volunteers increased substantially. Today over $2M is raised annually by more than 3,000 officers through local and statewide events including the Law Enforcement Torch Run as part of the annual Summer Games in June.

Guardians Of The Flame                                                                     Each year dedicated Law Enforcement officers participate in a journey on foot that brings  the Special Olympics New Jersey "Flame of Hope" torch throughout the state.   Local business supporters, school children, spectators and members of the local community  line the roads to experience the excitement as they cheer on their local Law Enforcement  Officers. The journey ends when the fiery torch ignites the cauldron at the  Opening Ceremonies and officially opens the Summer Games. New Jersey’s annual Torch Run  began in 1983 to raise awareness and funds for the athletes of Special Olympics New Jersey. "The Torch Run is the culmination of the many hours that members of Law Enforcement  volunteer each year," according to Chief Robert Belfiore, Port Authority of NY/NJ  and Director of the New Jersey Law Enforcement Torch Run. "It is symbolic of the  commitment and dedication that New Jersey Law Enforcement has for Special Olympics  athletes in this state, and the camaraderie that has developed between Law Enforcement  and Special Olympics athletes." Members of Law Enforcement dedicate this run to the memory  of the 37 Port Authority Police officers who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, many of whom  were long-time supporters of Special Olympics New Jersey. "The dedication of the Law Enforcement community to Special Olympics New Jersey  is evident all year long, especially on the day of Summer Games Opening Ceremonies,"  according to Marc S. Edenzon, President of Special Olympics New Jersey.  "These committed friends epitomize their loyalty to the thousands of athletes of the  Summer Games by their hands-on involvement and tireless efforts to raise funds and   create awareness of Special Olympics, that success in life can be sparked by  success on the playing field." The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey has been a major  sponsor of the organization since 1983. Their efforts are the result of a volunteer  committee of more than 30 members who annually coordinate the Torch Run, along  with the other fundraising events on behalf of Special Olympics New Jersey.  Included in this dedicated group are sponsors such as the New Jersey Policemen’s  Benevolent Association, the New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police, the New Jersey  Knights of Columbus, the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association,  Macy’s, the ShopRite/Wakefern Corporation and the Italian American Police  Society of New Jersey. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a part of an international  series of torch runs held in every state and in more than 36 countries for Special Olympics. For more information on the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey,  call (609)896-8000,