Issues. People. Events.

More than 1,200 law enforcement officers representing more than 100 communities across Connecticut are expected to participate in the 2012 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Connecticut, Wednesday through Friday, June 6 to 8.

Among them will be officers from Waterbury who will take part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run on June 7, 2012. They will run from Bristol Street to Rt. 69 at Old Mobil Gas from approximately 10:52 am to 11:53 am. All are invited to come out and cheer for the officers as they pass by! For the complete Torch Run schedule visit www.soct.org.

This annual Run – which will cover over 530 miles during the course of three days - aims to raise awareness and recognition for athletes of all abilities who will be participating in Special Olympics’ Summer Games and the organization’s year-round programs and competitions. Officers will also take part on bicycles and motorcycles, and some will drive in support patrol cars. And, in some areas, Special Olympics athletes will run alongside the participating officers.

Then, on the evening of Friday, June 8th, a group of officers participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run will help kick-off the 2012 Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games. These officers will run with the torch, a symbol of hope, into Jess Dow Field on the Southern Connecticut State University campus, where Opening Ceremonies for Summer Games will begin at 7:15 pm.

Lieutenant Paul Vance of the Connecticut State Police and a Special Olympics athlete will light the cauldron to symbolize the start of Summer Games. Opening Ceremonies and all Summer Games events to be held throughout the weekend at Southern Connecticut State University and Hamden Hall are free and open to the public. For details including a complete schedule of competitions and parking information, visit www.soct.org.

Torch Run sponsors include: Whelen Engineering, JN Phillips Auto Glass, Dream Ride, and Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a grass-roots, year-round awareness and fundraising program to benefit Special Olympics.

Summer Games sponsors include: United Technologies Corporation – presenting sponsor; Knights of Columbus, Alstom, Team ESPN, TD Bank, and Campus Customs - gold sponsors; Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Foxwoods Resort Casino and HCC Global Financial Products - silver sponsors; Geico and Mercer - bronze sponsors; and the Walter Camp Football Foundation and American Legion - contributing sponsors. Media sponsors are NBC Connecticut, the New Haven Register, and Clear Channel Community Access Radio (The River 105.9, KC101, KISS 95.7, ESPN Radio 1410, ESPN 1300, Country 92.5, and 960 WELI).

Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for more than 13,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities and Unified Partners (their teammates without disabilities). Through a myriad of initiatives throughout the state and the world, Special Olympics is a movement that’s changing attitudes and changing lives by inspiring inclusion, understanding and respect for people of all abilities, in all aspects of life. (www.soct.org)  Partner Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Connecticut Light & Power/Yankee Gas/ Western Massachusetts Electric (Northeast Utilities Companies), Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC Connecticut, TD Bank, and United Technologies.

Year-Round Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New England, Crystal Rock Water and Coffee Company, Graebel Van Lines, Guida’s Milk and Ice Cream, Marcus Communications, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service and Worx Branding & Advertising.