Criminal Justice Agencies Come Together for Duval County's Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office hosted the annual Duval County Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics on Friday, April 5, 2019.
The event is where criminal justice agency members and special athletes run together, bringing the "Flame of Hope" to the Opening Ceremony of Florida's annual State Summer Games.
Thirteen criminal justice agencies throughout the region participated in the one-mile and three-mile run alongside Special Olympians from local schools: Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center, Pine Castle, and the North Florida School of Special Education. This year's event included a new route ending at The Jacksonville Fairgrounds.
Each year these agencies help raise money for Special Olympics Florida through the purchase of merchandise in the form of hats and shirts that are sold throughout first quarter. The funds raised help athletes participate in Special Olympics Games. As of Thursday, April 4, 2019, JSO and participating Duval County agencies had raised more than $6,500 through apparel sales.
At the opening ceremonies Sheriff Mike Williams presented his Challenge Coin to Jake Scovill who gave the Athlete's Oath and Robbie Culliton who led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Chief of Human Resources Larry Schmitt led the race by carrying the torch for part of the three-mile race.
For more information about this event and Special Olympics Florida please go to:
https://specialolympicsflorida.org
*A special thank you to our local sponsors, First Place Sports, The Jacksonville Fairgrounds and Wawa for donating services to help make this event more memorable for participants.