NJ State PBA members gear up for the 33rd Annual Law
Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey
n BY JENNIFER TRATTLER
Patrol cars flash lights and sirens to clear paths for packs of
runners hitting the pavement across the State – a 2.2-mile jog
in Pennington here, or a 78-mile route through Sussex there – as
rescue squads bring up the rear. Crowds form to cheer and cars
honk as a sign of encouragement for the law enforcement officers participating in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for
Special Olympics New Jersey.
“It’s really a sight to see,” described NJ State Executive Board
Member and Raritan Township Local 337 State Delegate Meg
Hammond, who is a go-to volunteer when it comes to assisting
Special Olympics New Jersey. “The runners do as much as they
can whether they run, walk or some even bike. It’s always a good
Run because of what we’re doing it for.”
On June 10, more than 3,000 officers split up into 26 legs with
some starting as early as 4:45 a.m. to carry the “Flame of Hope”
more than 750 miles throughout the Garden State and into the
2016 Special Olympics New Jersey Summer Games held at The
College of New Jersey in Ewing.
“We run rain or shine,” acknowledged Run Coordinator Hammond, who has participated in the event 15 times. “There is
all sorts of prep-work. Some of us struggle and others breeze
through, but it’s not about how much you run or how fast you
run. It’s what we’re doing it for and who we’re doing it for.”
The 33rd Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special
Olympics New Jersey culminates in the lighting of the Special
Olympics New Jersey cauldron at the opening ceremony. More
than 2,500 Special Olympics athletes along with families and
fans will watch one representative from each leg run down the
stadium steps carrying a small torch to ignite the cauldron, signaling the start of Special Olympics New Jersey’s largest compe-
NJ State PBA 1st Vice-President Pete Andreyev lights the “Flame of Hope”
with Special Olympic New Jersey athletes at the 2014 Summer Games.
tition event of the year.
“It means so much to the athletes to identify with law enforcement,” indicated Retired Port Authority Chief Robert Belfiore,
who is the Director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey. “When they line up and give out high
fives, it makes their day. They know the officers work as hard to
raise money as they work to get ready for their competitions.”
During the ensuing two days, athletes will compete in aquatics, baseball, bocce, gymnastics, powerlifting, softball, tennis
and track and field, where again officers will volunteer their
time by awarding medals to the triumphant athletes.
“The athletes are stoked,” emphasized Hammond. “They’re
happy to be there and we’re happy to support them. That’s the
best part – seeing the athletes improve in their sport each year.”
What brings back thousands of law enforcement officers every year is the ability to raise millions of dollars through fundraisers like the Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey (in
addition to the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge 5K, the United Airlines Plane Pull and the largest fundraiser of the bunch, the
Polar Bear Plunge) to be only one of two states that send the
athletes to the Summer Games for free each year.
“There’s a sense of pride when you’re running with Local
members,” added Hammond. “The Polar Bear Plunge is crazy
and fun, but this is different. You carry the flag and the torch
and it all has meaning. The Special Olympics is just a wonderful
institution to be able to support.”
Thanks to sponsorships from ShopRite, United Airlines, MaCONTINUED ON PAGE 56
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