Maine Police Departments Pounded the Pavement for Special Olympics
Like the Ghostbusters ain't afraid of no ghosts, our police officers in Maine ain't afraid of no Nor'Easter!
Law Enforcement Torch Run
According to their official website, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics has been going on for the last 40 years, started by six police officers in Wichita, Kansas back in June 1981. They carried a torch into a high school, which became the inaugural Torch Run that we've come to know and love four decades later, all of which benefits the athletes of the Special Olympics across the country.
According to their official website, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised over $900 million and increased awareness of the Special Olympics leaps and bounds.
York Police Department kicks off the run
Yesterday, regardless of the raw, cold, and rainy Nor'Easter conditions in Northern New England, members of the York Police Department hit the pavement to make the more than 10-mile run up Route 1 to pass the Special Olympics Torch off to members of the Ogunquit Police Department.
Ogunquit Police Department takes over
After completing their 10+ mile trek (which in total ended up being around 10.3 miles, according to the York Police Department), the Torch was then handed off to the next participating police department, Ogunquit PD. Their task? Basically, run the entire length of Main Street to prep for the next handoff.
Wells Police Department continue the Torch Run
After running their length of Main Street and reaching the town line, the next hand-off involved members of the Wells Police Department.
According to WABI out of Bangor, Maine generally raises between $350,000 and $400,000 with the Law Enforcement Torch Run every year, although their goal this year is to raise $250,000.