Community Corner

Law Enforcement Officials Run Special Olympics 'Flame of Hope' Down Main Street

More than 200 people participated in the annual fundraising event.

In spite of record high temperatures, more than 200 law enforcement officials and community members joined together Wednesday to carry the Special Olympics "Flame of Hope" through Carroll County in the annual Maryland Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

Runners and bikers braved the heat as they made their way to McDaniel College in Westminster from five parts of the county: Sykesville, Taneytown, Union Bridge/New Windsor, Mount Airy and  Hampstead/Manchester. 

After all legs joined at McDaniel College, the Flame of Hope was carried down Main Street for the final leg of the relay run. A ceremony was held at the Westminster Family Center in which local Special Olympics athletes were honored and Torch Run participants were recognized. 

Find out what's happening in Westminsterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Maryland Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is a year-round movement whose goal is to raise both funds and public awareness for the athletes who train and compete in Special Olympics Maryland. When it began in 1986, only a handful of officers participated, raising about $50,000, according to a press release. Since that time, the Maryland torch run has grown tremendously, including volunteer officers from nearly every law enforcement agency and correctional facility in Maryland, raising more than $3.6 million for Special Olympics Maryland in 2009–the largest single fund raising effort for Special Olympics in the world.

Torch Runs took place throughout the state this week in preparation for opening ceremonies of the Maryland Special Olympics summer games in Towson on Friday.

Find out what's happening in Westminsterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here