Jacksonville's Torch Run returns to downtown streets to raise funds for Special Olympics - The Florida Times-Union
They ran clad in purple — police and corrections officers, special agents and other law enforcement men and women, athletes young and old — following the Special Olympics torch downtown Friday morning.
An annual tradition put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was the first Duval County Special Olympics Torch Run locally since 2019, an estimated 130 people kicking it off at 10 a.m. from the Police Memorial Building for the 1-mile run.
Led by torchbearer and Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Director Larry Schmidt, they were some of the more than 5,000 officers who have and will carry the torch on a 1,500-mile relay through 67 counties in Florida. The torch's endpoint: May 20 and 21 as 600 Florida athletes compete in the State Summer Games at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World.
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It's been a long two years to wait for the state games and the torch run, said Ken Roop, director for Special Olympics Florida's Law Enforcement Torch Runs.
"There was elation, and a lot of phone calls about 'When are we doing it' and 'How do I get involved,'" Roop said. "Everybody's really gotten on board about it."
The athletes and officers gathered on the Bay Street steps of the Sheriff's Office. Students from area schools joined officers, deputies, troopers and agents from eight agencies from the Sheriff's Office to the Beaches police departments. All wore this year's purple "Guardians of the Flame" shirts, sales of which to law enforcement raised about $5,000 for Special Olympics.
Special Olympian Leigh Ann Gray led all in the Pledge of Allegiance after Megan Bell gave the athlete's oath, asking to let them win, but if they cannot, "let me be brave in the attempt."
Assistant Chief Paul Restivo handed the lit torch to Schmidt so he could lead the first leg to the Jacksonville Fairgrounds.
Leigh Ann and other Duval County Special Olympians couldn't wait to run Friday, then compete in May's state games, her mother said.
"They are so, so excited, it's beyond excitement to be getting back into everything," Pam Gray said. "I am so excited that it's back. Swimming and bowling are getting ready to start, and this year we actually have people working with them in surfing. So she's excited."
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The regional games took place April 9 with 400 athletes from Duval and eight other area counties competing in multiple sports at Atlantic Coast High School. Now they focus on the Florida Summer Games next month.
The Fernandina Beach Police Department's run also was Friday. The torch's next regional stop is Clay County on April 29 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Publix at County Road 220 and Town Center Parkway. The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office is scheduled for June 4, and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office already completed its leg on April 16.
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A number of Florida athletes also are set to compete in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games June 5 through 12 in Orlando. And Duval County's Special Olympics hosts a July 16 Area 4 Surfing Competition at Little Talbot Island State Park. The full schedule of all Florida law enforcement torch runs is at bit.ly/3v5Mdha.
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source: https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/crime/2022/04/22/law-enforcement-join-jacksonville-florida-special-olympics-torch-run/7408320001/
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