For the past 23 years, the North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run has united officers from law enforcement agencies and corrections departments across the state in an effort to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics North Carolina. 

The 2010 North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run campaign raised $1,004,721 for Special Olympics efforts statewide, according to Keith L. Fishburne, Special Olympics North Carolina president/CEO.  The 2010 total amount raised is five percent more than the total raised in 2009.  The Guilford County Sheriff’s Department ($61,876), the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department ($55,825),and the N.C. State University Police Department ($44,738) were the top three 2010 Law Enforcement Torch Run  fundraising agencies.

“The North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run generates funds to make the year-round efforts of Special Olympics North Carolina possible,” said Fishburne. “Law enforcement officers are to be commended for their efforts this year especially, as they carried out an extremely successful campaign in difficult economic conditions.”   

More than $450,000 of the funds raised were through innovative special fundraising events such as building sits at Chick-Fil-A restaurants, Polar Plunges in icy waters, a Plane Pull at RDU International Airport and two legs of the World’s Largest Truck Convoy in Concord/Charlotte and Raleigh.   In 2010, 114 law enforcement agencies joined the Torch Run efforts with 40 raising more than $6,000 and earning a spot on the list to be printed on the back of the 2011 Torch Run T-shirt.    

The North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run involves more than 2,000 law enforcement officers representing more than 100 agencies.  In addition to raising funds through collecting sponsorships, T-shirt and hat donations and unique fundraising events, the officers take part in a 2,000-mile, 16-day torch relay with the Flame of Hope, culminating in the lighting of the cauldron to officially open the Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games each summer. For the fourth year North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper served as the Honorary NC Torch Run Director.

“I am so proud to be involved with such a dedicated group of law enforcement officers,” said NC Torch Run Director, Bill Frick, retired detective of the Chapel Hill Police Department.  “The Torch Run officers did a great job and we look forward to making next year even better!”