Following its best Special Olympics fundraising effort ever in 2016, the Dalton Police Department is once again joining police departments from across Georgia in the Law Enforcement Torch Run fundraiser. The DPD is taking part to help send Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA) athletes to the state games and fund other important parts of SOGA’s operation. Anyone can help by purchasing Torch Run hats or running shirts from the DPD or donating through pledges of support for officers who will run in a Torch Run relay on April 27, the day before Whitfield County’s summer games. The route will take participating officers on a route through the city of Dalton.
The 2017 Law Enforcement Torch Run shirts are sky blue dry-fit running shirts with the Law Enforcement Torch Run logo and an image of a Special Olympics athlete carrying the torch. The hats are available in two styles. One is tan and the other is in a digital camouflage pattern. The hats cost $12 each and the shirts cost $15. The shirts are available in all sizes. Both the hats and shirts are on sale at the Police Services Center at 301 Jones Street.
In 2016, the DPD enjoyed its best year of fundraising to date, raising more than $11,000 in support of the cause. Sergeant Ricky Long, who coordinated last year’s effort, was honored by Special Olympics Georgia with its “Rookie Fundraiser of the Year” award.
Each year, the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is the largest fundraising effort for SOGA. More than 100 law enforcement agencies across the state take part through various fundraisers which culminate with a series of relay runs with the Special Olympics torch. In 2015, the LETR effort raised more than $866,000 in Georgia. Over the years, Georgia’s LETRs have raised more than $11 million for the Special Olympics.
Funds raised through the Torch Run fund many aspects of the Special Olympics operation. Much of that money goes to send athletes to compete in the statewide Special Olympics Games. It costs $85 to send one athlete to one of the state games meets. At these games, children and adults with intellectual disabilities get to compete in high quality sports, interact with peers, and experience new places. Participation in the games means athletes work towards a goal, learn and master new skills, and develop good habits that could improve their health and lives.
Special Olympics Georgia does not receive funds from local, state, or federal funds. SOGA also does not receive United Way funding. Funding for SOGA, which operates competitions year-round for their athletes, comes from donations and fundraising events such as the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Neither Special Olympics athletes nor their families pay fees to compete. More than 26,000 athletes are currently being served by SOGA.
The DPD’s Torch Run is coming up on April 27. For more information on donating to the cause or sponsoring runners, contact Sergeant Ricky Long at rlong@cityofdalton-ga.gov or by calling 706-278-9085, dial 9 and enter extension 168. Donations can also be made to the department’s fundraising effort itself either through a separate monetary donation or purchase of Law Enforcement Torch Run merchandise.