Special Olympics torch makes trip through Valley
Boardman police officer John Gocala Jr. helps Brianna Hall, 8, of Boardman hold the “Flame of Hope” — the Special Olympics torch — during the 2012 Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run on Thursday. The run traveled about three miles south on Market Street with stops at Meshel MASCO workshop, Davis Family YMCA and the Boardman police station.
BOARDMAN
The Special Olympics State Summer Games open today, and the “Flame of Hope” — the Special Olympics torch — will be there after a little help from local law enforcement.
About two dozen officers from Boardman, Beaver Township, Mill Creek MetroParks, Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department and Ohio State Highway Patrol jogged or bicycled about three miles Thursday on Market Street while carrying the torch.
They were taking part in the 2012 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Ohio, which has six main routes that originate in Athens, Ashtabula, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Marietta and Toledo and travel to Columbus. There also are satellite legs, such as the one in Boardman, throughout the state.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 in Kansas and has spread worldwide, said Chandra Brode, coordinator for the Boardman event, which is its third year.
“There are people around the world who do exactly what we’re doing today,” she said.
The goal of torch run is to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics. Torch-run participants collected donations individually, and they and other volunteers waited tables at Chili’s restaurant Wednesday, collecting about $700 in donations in five hours, Brode said.
A final fundraising total was not available Thursday.
Boardman officer Pat Klingensmith participated in the run for the first time this year.
“I just wanted to come out and support the Special Olympics. It’s good for us to give back,” he said.
Beaver Township Police Chief Carl Frost was among several bicyclists who followed the joggers and had a simple reason for pedaling: “It’s a good cause,” he said.
Several clients of the Purple Cat, including Eva Dreher, Elijah Pegram and Eugene Hopkins, got a peek inside police cruisers and then followed the runners and cyclists in a bus.
“We brought eight Special Olympians with us today,” said Jimmy Sutman, owner and founder of Purple Cat, an agency that provides job skills, daily living skills and recreational activities for mentally and physically impaired people.
“It’s great that [police] do this,” he said.
Brode thanked law enforcement and the community for supporting the Special Olympics.
“It’s a way to kick off the summer state games and, just like in other sports, everyone gets really excited for it,” Brode said.