Local Police Carry Torch for a Cause
Upholding an annual tradition, law enforcement from Danville and San Ramon Police departments participated in the annual Special Olympics Torch Run.
Local Torch Run
San Ramon Police Department personnel paraded down San Ramon Valley Boulevard carrying the Special Olympics torch, known as the “Flame of Hope” Monday afternoon. Accompanied by their police escort, 8 SRPD runners began their journey to the south when they received the torch from Dublin Police. They ran north on San Ramon Valley Boulevard and down Fostoria Way for 4.88 miles (in roughly 45 minutes) into Danville.
At the end of their leg, San Ramon handed off the torch to Danville Police who began their run Wednesday morning with 12 runners. Starting from the Danville Police Department on La Gonda Way, the group made its way down Danville Boulevard to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Alamo Substation. The runners were joined by a few Sheriff deputies from the substation before the group continued to Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek. There, Danville passed the torch to the Walnut Creek Police Department runners. In all, Danville’s leg of the journey totaled 6.3 miles.
Background
The Torch Run is a campaign involving law enforcement agencies across northern California. The campaign is a major fundraiser for the NorCal Special Olympics. One by one, law enforcement agencies take turns carrying the torch across their local jurisdictions. Later in the month, the torch will arrive at the University of California Davis where the Special Olympics Summer Games are held.
The Torch Run is a global campaign that is said to raise about 34 million dollars annually for Special Olympics organizations around the world. The Special Olympics website states that more than three thousand northern California law enforcement agencies participate in the campaign annually.
Participation
In the same spirit, personnel from San Ramon and Danville Police departments took the “Polar Plunge” this past February. Law enforcement, along with other groups participate in the annual event. Like the Torch Run, the event also serves as a major fundraiser for Special Olympics. The Polar Plunge campaign is known for its unique style of fundraising by having participants run in to the freezing San Francisco Bay during the event.
Every year, the Danville Police also participates in Bike the Bridges (early June) and the Opening Ceremonies (this Friday). Both events benefit the Special Olympics. Additionally, San Ramon Police hosted a fundraiser for Special Olympics in February. The “Tip-a-Cop” fundraiser allowed the community to connect with the officers while supporting the Special Olympics.
Donations to Special Olympics can be made via the Danville and San Ramon Police Department’s team pages. Here are the links to Danville PD Team Page & San Ramon PD Team Page.
It is official, the Special Olympics Torch has been passed. Danville PD is off and running. @SONorCal @DanvilleINFO pic.twitter.com/HZHjDo3biG
— San Ramon Police (@sanramonpolice) June 21, 2016
The SRPD @SONorCal Torch Run is complete with 4.88 miles in the books. Danville PD…the torch is yours. pic.twitter.com/0QV2yKdala
— San Ramon Police (@sanramonpolice) June 20, 2016
