More than 80 people participated in the central Kansas portion of the Law Enforcement Torch Run on Wednesday morning in Larned. Approximately 30 members of Storm Special Olympics Team joined law enforcement personnel from Larned State Correctional Facility, Larned Police Department, Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office and Ellsworth Correctional Facility for the annual event. Larned Torch Run participants escorted the Special Olympics “Flame of Hope” from Schnack Park to the Pawnee County Courthouse on Main Street.
After the run, participants enjoyed a barbecue celebration of hot dogs and hamburgers on the courthouse lawn.
Storm Team will meet back up with the torch when the athletes participate in track and field at the Kansas Special Olympics Summer Games at Maize High School June 6-8. The final leg of the Kansas Torch Run will take place from Wichita City Hall to Maize High where the cauldron will be lit to open the Summer Games.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a global movement that raises awareness and funds for Special Olympics. It's the largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness campaign for Special Olympics, engaging more than 110,000 law enforcement personnel worldwide.
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Check out more Larned Law Enforcement Torch Run photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/rosewood_services/albums/72177720326153383
Cutlines:
Group Strength – The consortium of law enforcement agencies, along with Storm Special Olympics Team, gather for a “Flame of Hope” Torch photo at Schack Park, prior to participating in the central Kansas leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Larned on Wednesday morning.
Passing the Torch – LSCF Corrections Officer II Jeffrey Heller prepares to hand the “Flame of Hope” Torch to Storm athlete Josh Trimmer before the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Larned on Wednesday morning. Also pictured are participating Storm athletes Deb Wasinger and Jim Wonsetler.
Storm & Troopers – Storm Special Olympics members, along with Pawnee County Law Enforcement agencies and Ellsworth Correctional Facility personnel round the corner from 4th Street to Broadway in downtown Larned to complete participation in their leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run on Wednesday morning.