November 03, 2021
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Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics winds through San Fernando - LA Daily News

San Fernando City Manager Nick Kimball carries the “Flame of Hope” torch as the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics of Southern California makes its way through San Fernando on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
San Fernando City Manager Nick Kimball carries the “Flame of Hope” torch as the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics of Southern California makes its way through San Fernando on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

SAN FERNANDO — The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics of Southern California made its way through San Fernando on Wednesday, Nov. 3.

A team of 15 runners — made up of police, city officials and community members who carried the “Flame of Hope” torch — ran together in two lines as community members and students in schools cheered them on.

San Fernando Police Sgt. Walter Dominguez gets ready to carry the “Flame of Hope” torch with Gerardo De la Cerda, 33, who has participated in 21 Special Olympics, as they begin the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics of Southern California at O’Melveny Elementary School in San Fernando on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The San Fernando Police team was led by Sgt. Walter Dominguez. Joining him was Gerardo De la Cerda, 33, a San Fernando resident who has participated in 21 different Special Olympics competitions. De la Cerda carried the Torch Run flag.

Samuel Ortega, 14, also carried the torch, as his 11-year-old sister Faith, who has Down Syndrome, cheered him on out the window of the city’s restored 1956 Chevy police car driven by San Fernando Police Chief Anthony Vairo.

Faith Ortega, 11, who has Down syndrome, cheers on her brother Samuel, 14, as he runs in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics as she is driven by San Fernando Chief of Police Anthony Vairo in a restored 1956 Chevy police car through San Fernando on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Law enforcement’s partnership with the Special Olympics is their best-kept secret, said San Fernando Police Lt. Irwin Rosenberg, coordinator and secretary of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Council for Special Olympics Southern California.

“It’s about providing opportunity for the athletes and a sense of hope and inclusion and awareness for people with intellectual disabilities,” said Rosenberg. “The athletes give us unconditional love,” he added.



source: https://www.dailynews.com/2021/11/03/law-enforcement-torch-run-for-special-olympics-winds-through-san-fernando

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