Toms River Local makes a splash for the Special Olympics
62 new jersey cops ■ APRIL 2017
Eight Toms River Local 137 officers attended this year’ s New Jersey Special Olympics Area 6 Swim Championship to help cheer on the athletes and hand out medals throughout the event at the Toms River YMCA. This was Local 137’ s second year in a row participating in the event that has proven to be extremely fulfilling for its officers, who are blown away by the athletes’ abilities to overcome.
“ Kids who can barely walk and need to be escorted into the pool then finish the race and get a medal,” shares Local 137 Delegate Jesse Robertazzi.“ It’ s very inspiring to everyone who is involved in it.”
Local 137 is an active supporter of the New Jersey Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, raising money through annual events like the Snow Bowl, Polar Bear Plunge and Plane Pull.
“ The support that the Special Olympics gets from the NJ State PBA is incredible,” Robertazzi states.“ The fundraisers are always a huge success, which is in part due to the hearts of all of the volunteers and the financial support from the NJ State PBA.”
At the Special Olympics Swim Championship, Local 137 members are able to see the direct impact that their fundraising efforts have on Special Olympic athletes, who are able to participate in character-building athletic activities without having to worry about the cost. As the officers placed the medals around the athletes’ necks and saw the excitement in their eyes, they were reminded of why they are constantly looking for ways to contribute to the Law Enforcement Torch Run and the athletes it supports. d