42° and Patchy rain nearby
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Above, Tri-County was a special stop on the run because students welded a special cauldron for use at the games at Harvard.
On Wednesday, June 7 the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Massachusetts Final Leg continued carrying the Flame of Hope across the state. They ran the torch through both Quincy and Franklin to garner excitement for and spread awareness of the upcoming 2023 Summer Games, held at Harvard University on June 9-11.
Special Olympics Massachusetts Law Enforcement Torch Run put on the first annual Summer Games Final Leg. The tradition of the Final Leg is for Law Enforcement officers representing their county and Torch Run Program to act as “Guardians of the Flame” and carry the Special Olympics Torch and “Flame of Hope” to the Opening Ceremonies.
This Torch Run event is called the Final Leg because it represents the culmination of the Torch Run and Special Olympics events that have taken place throughout the State. The Final Leg not only salutes the athletes from across Massachusetts who will compete in the 2023 Summer Games, but also honors the participating Law Enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes who make up the Torch Run Final Leg Team.
The 2023 Final Leg Team for Special Olympics Massachusetts is made up of ten participants. Eight of the runners are Law Enforcement Torch Run members (Kristine Crosman, Andy LaRose, Erica Ireland, Amy Wisewell, Kerry Baxter, Chris Liacos, Dana Delorenzo, Mike Wilk) and two of the runners are Special Olympics MA athletes (Matthew Cobb and Danny Williamson).
The 2023 Final Leg Team begins each day in one area of Massachusetts and runs approximately one mile while carrying the Torch to a community destination. The Team will visit a total of eight major stops, made up of community partners, businesses and schools, in addition to several “mini” stops.
Quincy Area
Today marked the second day of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which started off in Quincy at Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc (PLAN). Employees made their own posters to cheer on and welcome the Final Leg as they made their way to PLAN’s parking lot alongside Quincy and Braintree Police.
“We are so thrilled to have the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg stop here and share with us,” said PLAN’s Executive Director Joan McGrath. “We so appreciative of all the Law Enforcement officers that have been supporting Special Olympics for all of these years, and we are thrilled to be a part of this.”
The Final Leg travelled a short distance down the road to another Special Olympics MA partner, Arbella Insurance. There was a yellow and blue balloon arch, custom signs, and a “Good Luck” banner to welcome the runners and show Arbella’s support for all athletes competing in the upcoming 2023 Summer Games.
“Arbella is so excited to be part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final leg; we are honored to have the torch be brought here on the second to last leg,” said Executive Vice President, Gayle O’Connell. “Arbella has been a longtime partner with Special Olympics, and we wish all the athlete the best of luck at the games this weekend.”
A Stop in Franklin
After visiting two corporate partners, the Special Olympics MA Final Leg headed to Franklin where they were greeted by the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School. This was a special stop for the Final Leg, as the High School unveiled the 2023 Summer Games cauldron which was welded by the students.
“What a great opportunity for Tri-County to partner with Special Olympics and to have created a cauldron that will be used for a long, long time,” said Tri-County Superintendent Dr. Karen Maguire.
Tomorrow the team begins their day in Boston and ends the Final Leg at the Special Olympics Massachusetts headquarters in Marlborough.
ABOUT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN PROGRAM
The Law Enforcement Torch Run began 34 years ago with founder Wichita Police Chief Richard LaMunyon, and five law enforcement officers carrying the torch for the Special Olympics Kansas Summer Games in Wichita. The LETR has since evolved to a volunteer partnership with Special Olympics to champion acceptance and inclusion. It has become a worldwide community of law enforcement officers rallying to support Special Olympics, the impetus for millions of new friendships around the world, and a series of events including Torch Runs, Polar Plunge fundraisers, and Tip-A-Cop® events. The LETR is the largest grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics with more than 100,000 law enforcement participants around the world. Visit LETR.org for more information.
ABOUT SUMMER GAMES 2023:
Special Olympics Massachusetts will host their largest event of the year, Summer Games, June 9-11 in Boston. Opening Ceremonies will be held at Harvard Stadium on Friday, June 9 with competition Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11 at Harvard University Athletic Complex. Over 2,000 athletes, 1,600 volunteers, and thousands more family and friends will attend over the weekend, showing everyone what is possible when we #ChooseToInclude.
ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS MASSACHUSETTS:
Special Olympics Massachusetts provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state with sporting competitions throughout the year. Using sports as the catalyst, the Special Olympics movement promotes inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities in all areas of life. We’re investing in the idea that everyone belongs and invite all of Massachusetts to join us and experience inclusion. http://www.specialolympicsma.org.
