UKPD Part of Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 1, 2017) — The University of Kentucky Police Department, in conjunction with other Kentucky state law enforcement agencies, will participate in the 31st annual Kentucky Law Enforcement Torch Run Friday, June 2. The Law Enforcement Torch Run, which raises awareness and funding for Special Olympics Kentucky, kicks off the opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics Summer Games. From June 2-4, more than 1,500 Special Olympics athletes from across the state will participate in five events at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond including track and field, swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, bocce and soccer.
“The Special Olympics Kentucky athletes have the utmost respect for law enforcement and absolutely cherish their involvement,” said Trish Mazzoni, Special Olympics Kentucky president. “It truly means a lot to our athletes to have such strong support from our law enforcement agencies.”
The University of Kentucky Police Department is one of the few law enforcement agencies in Kentucky that will run with the torch in each location beginning in Frankfort and ending in Richmond. The Lexington portion of the torch run featuring University of Kentucky Police officers will begin at Transylvania University and end at the Wildcat Statue on Avenue of Champions.
“We receive so much more from participating in Special Olympics Kentucky events than we can ever give,” said UK Police Chief Joe Monroe. “Year after year, these athletes inspire our officers to give more of their time and energy in volunteering. It is these special athletes from all over Kentucky who deserve the recognition for their hard-earned accomplishments and allow us to be fortunate enough to be a part of their lives.”
The University of Kentucky Police Department has been raising awareness for those with intellectual disabilities for the past 11 years. They have also been active in various fundraising efforts for Special Olympics Kentucky including Lexington Polar Plunge, Tip-A-Cop, and most recently, Cop on a Rooftop. This year alone, UKPD has raised more than $5,500 from these events and are more than half way to their goal of raising $10,000 by the end of the year. Their next fundraising event will be the Big Brown Truck Pull Aug. 19 at the Texas Roadhouse at Beaumont Centre in Lexington.
The public is encouraged to attend the opening ceremonies and all Special Olympics Summer Games competitions. All events are free and open to the public. For more information or to volunteer, please visit the Special Olympics Kentucky website.
About Special Olympics Kentucky
Special Olympics is the world’s largest program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Participation in competitive events is open to all individuals 8 years of age or older. Training and competition in local, area, state and national programs are offered year-round in Kentucky in 15 sports. In addition to its traditional sports competitions, Special Olympics also offers early childhood programming through the Young Athletes Program and medical screenings through the Healthy Athletes Initiative. Special Olympics Kentucky has been changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in Kentucky for 47 years.