2015 Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run Starts June 18 and passes through more than 150 communities in support of Special Olympics Ohio
Bob Kelley Chevrolet Buick will have their annual water break and check presentation at approximately 1:30 pm on Wednesday, June 24. The public is welcome to come cheer the torch runners on! Let’s support Special Olympics AND the law enforcement officers who volunteer their time to carry the torch!
(COLUMBUS, OHIO) — The 2015 Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics presented by The Kroger Company begins on Thursday, June 18 and continues throughout Ohio to the Opening Ceremonies of the 2015 Special Olympics Ohio State Summer Games on Friday, June 26. The Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run is the single largest grassroots fund-raising program for Special Olympics Ohio and its more than 23,000 participating athletes.
This year more than 2,000 officers are set to participate in one of five main legs that originate in Athens, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Marietta, and Toledo or in one of several satellite community legs planned throughout the state.
The Kroger Company has generously served as the Presenting Sponsor for the Torch Run for the past nine years. Officers visit Kroger stores as they travel to Columbus on their respective routes.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run and its various fundraising projects have two goals: To raise money and to gain awareness for the athletes who participate in Special Olympics Ohio.
The Torch Run is a series of relays in which officials representing all facets of law enforcement run or bicycle the Flame of Hope more than 1,000 miles and through more than 150 Ohio communities.
The 2015 Torch Run officially begins with a special kick-off at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 18 at the Sylvania Police Department in Sylvania Township. The Torch will then visit the Toledo Police Museum and the Toledo Police Division/Lucas County Sheriff’s Office before it is carried to Fifth Third Field in downtown Toledo for an appearance at a Mud Hens game. The Torch Run will also be a part of the Bryan Jubilee and parade on Saturday, June 20.
On Sunday, June 21, the Torch starts its day at Perkins High School, in Sandusky, at 8:30 a.m. followed by a ceremony in downtown Sandusky starting at 10:00 a.m. The Flame of Hope is then featured in a parade in Put-in-Bay starting at 2:00 p.m. before receiving an escort from patrol boats across the water to Port Clinton.
The Torch Run starts again in four quadrants of Ohio with main routes originating in Athens, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Marietta, and Toledo.
All routes will converge Friday, June 26 in Columbus for a dramatic and inspirational entrance into the Opening Ceremonies of the 2015 Special Olympics State Summer Games, at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on the campus of The Ohio State University. There more than 2,700 Special Olympics athletes receive the Flame of Hope from the law enforcement officials and light a stadium cauldron to officially signify the opening of the 2015 State Summer Games.
Northwest Ohio quadrant:
Following the festivities in Sylvania, Toledo, Bryan, Put-in-Bay, and Port Clinton the Northwest Ohio leg resumes on Wednesday, June 24 at Hollywood Casino in Toledo before travelling through Rossford toPerrysburg, Bowling Green, North Baltimore, and Findlay. On Thursday, June 25, the Torch Run leaves fromTiffin and travels to Bucyrus, and Upper Sandusky. On Friday, June 26, the Torch Run leaves Marion and makes its way to Columbus via Delaware, Powell (including the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium), and Dublin.