We had a great run and a good time. We had the largest group of runners we’ve ever had, which is about 35 total.”Rex Sorrow, Cullman County Deputy
CULLMAN – The 2015 Alabama Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Run was held last Wednesday. Members from area law enforcement agencies gathered on the Cullman County Courthouse steps for a Torch Lighting Ceremony and then ran two miles as a group to the Oliver Woodard Stadium at Cullman High School. The run was to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics. Once the police arrived at the stadium, they handed the torch off to an athlete and circled the track, which was the official opening to the day’s Special Olympics.
“We had a great run and a good time,” said Deputy Rex Sorrow.
“We had the largest group of runners we’ve ever had, which is about 35 total,” he smiled happily.
One of the Alabama Law Enforcement Torch Run’s service projects benefiting Special Olympics athletes is the sale of their Law Enforcement Torch Run T-shirts, but that’s not the only thing they have done to acquire the funds.
The group hosts an annual “Cops on Top” in which local law enforcement and Special Olympics athletes will collect donations at the doors of Walmart. They also visit area businesses and ask for donations.
2015 Special Olympics
Posted by Cullman County Alabama Law Enforcement Torch Run For Special Olympics on Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Cullman County merchants are some of the most generous in the state and lots of money has been donated to ALETR from them over the years.
“We’re not finished with our fundraising events though,” Sorrow continued.
“Today will probably end our T-shirt sales, but we are thinking of some other things. Our goal was $15,000 and we busted that, and so we raised our goal to $25,000 and we’re almost there. We are going to announce our totals next Thursday, May 14, which is when the state run comes through. Today was the local run, but next week is the state run.”
The Special Olympics event was a day in which both Cullman County and the city of Cullman’s special needs athletes were able to enjoy a full day of competition and comradery.
Each school was represented in the day’s events, by students with and without special needs.
By teaming up together, all students were able to spend the day making new friends and having a great time.
“My favorite part of the Special Olympics is where the typical high school students interact and work with the special needs students,” said Stephanie Laney, teacher at Cullman Middle School.
“I love it – I think it’s wonderful! It does everyone good, especially the typical students.”
Children of all ages and sizes were able to showcase their athletic skills as well as their loving hearts.
For more information about Alabama Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, like them on Facebook at Facebook.com/pages/Cullman-County-Alabama-Law-Enforcement-Torch-Run-For-Special-Olympics/1568473543397877 or visit their website at AlabamaLETR.com.
