PRESS INFORMATION

LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

2006

In 1981, Chief Richard LaMunyan of the Wichita Kansas Police Department organized the first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.� The run was to raise awareness of the Special Olympics movement, raise funds to help �grow the cause,� and to improve the community�s perception of law enforcement, as more than an enforcement arm of government.� From 1981 to today, the Torch Run has now grown to the largest grass roots fund-raising effort in the world.� In 2005, the Torch Run raised more than $22 million dollars, worldwide.� The Torch Run now is in all 50 states, nine provinces of Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.� All of these runs are coordinated and carried out by law enforcement officers.� The most unique aspect of the torch run is that there is no paid staff.� 100% of the money raised by the runners stays in the state or country where it is raised.� Officers plan, coordinate and participate in the run on their own time.�

In 1985 Ohio law enforcement, began with the torch run program.� Since that day in June, when 10 officers from southern Ohio ran in the Cincinnati area, the program has steadily grown.� In 2005 more than 1,150 officers ran, biked, or assisted as support staff members, as the torch made its way from Cincinnati, Toledo, Cleveland, Marietta, Cambridge or Ashtabula, to the Ohio Stadium in Columbus, for the opening ceremonies of the Ohio Special Olympics State Summer Games.� During the run last year, officers for Ohio Special Olympics raised more than $220,000.

The 2006 run will begin in Ashtabula, Ohio on the 20^th and in the remaining cities on Wednesday morning June 21, 2006 at 9:00 a.m.� The Cincinnati leg will begin at the Cincinnati Police Memorial, and over the next three days, the torch will makes its way through Hamilton, Middletown, Miamisburg, Centerville, Dayton, Xenia, Springfield, London, and West Jefferson, into Columbus.� In addition to raising awareness and funds for Special Olympics, runners will be honoring law officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, and gave their lives in the past year, to protect the public.� Runners will represent all facets of law enforcement in Ohio, from city and township police, to county Sheriffs� Offices, and federal agencies, such as the FBI, DEA, Secret Service and the US Marshall�s Service, all working together to benefit Special Olympics.

For additional information on the run, contact:

Sgt. Ed Buns

Hamilton Ohio Police Division

Prior to the run at 513-868-5811 x 1395

Or during the run

Cell phone 513-615-2956