OSWEGO/FULTON – Members of local law enforcement carried the “Flame of Hope” 12 miles from the Oswego Police Department to the Fulton Police Department on Wednesday in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New York.
Oswego Police Department, Fulton Police Department, Oswego County Sheriff’s Department and New York State Police participated. They were joined by members of Team Red, White and Blue.
The LETR helps raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics New York athletes. LETR is a year-round, grassroots fundraising campaign by law enforcement agencies across the globe to benefit local Special Olympics programs.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas, Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to raise funds for and increase awareness of Special Olympics.
The LETR was quickly adopted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, now recognized as the founding law enforcement organization of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.
Each year, officers carry the “Flame of Hope” through the streets of their hometowns and countries to deliver it to their local, state and national Special Olympics games, said Cassandra Rucker, Special Olympics’ director of development, Central Region and Southern Tier.
In 2016, New York LETRs raised more than $2 million statewide in support of local Special Olympics athletes.
It’s a figure they hope to surpass in 2017, according to event organizer Lt. Charlie Searor of the Oswego Police Department.
“More than 1,200-members of our Central New York law enforcement community take part in Torch Run events across the region, including Oswego County,” he said. “As guardians of the Flame of Hope, we hope to raise awareness and funds for our Special Olympics athletes here in New York.”
In addition to supporting Special Olympics athletes, LETR raises funds for the Special Olympics New York Summer Games.
This year’s summer games will be held June 16 and 17 at Siena College in the capital district.
Thousands of individuals, including Special Olympics New York athletes, coaches and volunteers, are expected to attend the weekend of competition. Events include basketball, volleyball, track and field, tennis, bowling, gymnastics, swimming and powerlifting.
Fred Crimmins has been running with Team RWB for three years and is no stranger to running long distances.
As a matter of fact, he recently ran for 12 hours straight, logging 66 miles, for the Mind Your Ducks 12 Hour Ultra.
He participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the second year with RWB because “it’s a cause I’m enthused to get behind.”
“I’m glad to help in any way to spread awareness for the Special Olympics. To show people that there are other events that are open to everyone no matter their skill level,” Crimmins told Oswego County Today.
He will continue to spread awareness for the Special Olympics by participating in his first-ever Polar Plunge this winter.
“This was just a perfect day for a great event. I always feel so accomplished after this run because I love the camaraderie that comes with running with these local departments,” he said.
On top of a 12-mile trek, Crimmins carried the American flag on his shoulder for the duration of the run; a common occurrence during his runs that, he said, makes him feel empowered.
“It’s very rewarding to carry our flag. The amount of compliments, thank yous and encouragement I get is humbling,” he said. “It makes me feel proud to stand behind something so boldly. I think our country needs some of that right now.”
Trooper Brent Fosco, from the Fulton State Police barracks, has run in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for four years.
“I run because I think it’s important to bring awareness to an event that may otherwise not get much publicity,” he explained. “The Special Olympics is a great program that’s good and rewarding for our kids.”
This year was Sgt. Kevin Engel’s first time taking on the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
“It was a lot of fun with some great camaraderie between the departments and RWB,” Engel said. “The Special Olympics is a great organization that does great things for so many people. They are very deserving of all the publicity they can get.”
The Torch Run engages law enforcement worldwide championing acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities, starting first with their own communities.
Over the years, it has evolved and now encompasses a variety of innovative fundraising platforms to include Plane Pulls, Polar Plunges, Tip-A-Cops, and more.
Since inception, LETR has raised more than half a billion dollars and changed millions of attitudes.
“Through the partnership of LETR and Special Olympics, we provide opportunities for athletes to empower and transform themselves, their communities and the world,” Rucker said. “LETR is changing the future for people with intellectual disabilities and lighting the way for acceptance and inclusion.”
Special Olympics is the largest amateur sports organization in the world.
With more than 68,000 athletes, Special Olympics New York is the largest chapter in North America and the sixth largest chapter in the world.
Special Olympics New York athletes train and compete year-round in 22 sports, at no cost to the athletes, their families or their caregivers.
This gives them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
For more information or to donate, please visit www.nyso.org
(Mikayla Kemp contributed information and photos to this report)
