Torch Run Law enforcement supports Special Olympics
PICTURED DURING a handoff of the torch during the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics in Polson are, from left, Polson Police Department Officer Hazeez Rafiu, and Special Olympics teachers aides Sam Wheelon, Julie Magoon and Spring Johnston. (Joe Sova photos/Lake County Leader)
CAROLE LANKFORD, left, and Brandon Couture rode their bicycles from Pablo to Ronan last Friday as co-torch bearers during the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Lankford is a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council, and Couture is a sergeant and investigator for Tribal Fish and Game.
CONFEDERATED SALISH and Kootenai Tribal Council member Carole Lankford passes the torch to Ronan Police Chief Ken Weaver.
Lake County supporters of Special Olympics played a role in a special and significant event last Thursday and Friday, April 25 and 26.
It was the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) for Special Olympics to raise funds and awareness of the SO movement worldwide.
The torch came into the county from Kalispell, with a torch handoff at Dayton and then Elmo on Thursday. The torch made its way to Polson, and proceeded from Polson High School and on to Pablo, Ronan and points south to Arlee. From there, the torch traveled to Missoula — the site of the Special Olympics Regional Games May 1-3.
Polson Police Department Officer Oscar Garcia coordinated the torch effort in Polson and spoke about the torch run.
“This year, fortunately, we’ve got all the law enforcement agencies in Lake County,” he said.
Involved were the Sheriff’s Office, Highway Patrol, Polson Police Department, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Ronan Police Department and other county agencies.
Volunteer fire department personnel handled the safety aspect of the torch run by following the runners.
“I think the community is understanding what this is all about. Without the community, a lot of what we do is not possible,” Garcia said.
The mission of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) for Special Olympics is to raise funds and awareness of the Special Olympics Movement worldwide. Special Olympics is a program that daily reaffirms our beliefs that with hope, love and dedication we can see achievement and self-worth realized by any individual. It is our belief that persons with intellectual disabilities, by their involvement in Special Olympics, show the community at large the true meaning of sports and a pure joy towards life.