Local law enforcement agencies have been involved with the torch run for the Special Olympics for over 20 years, and recently an investigator from the Christiansburg Police Department joined hundreds of other officers for the “Torch for the World Run” in Austria to kick off the 2017 Winter Games.
It was started in 1981 in Wichita, Kansas, by Police Chief Richard LaMunyon, who saw a need to raise funds and increase the awareness of the Special Olympics by involving his officers in the community.
Mo McClanahan was one of 47 from the United States and the only one from Virginia to carry the torch for the start of the winter games. She was selected by the Law Enforcement Torch Run executive committee and helped carry the torch for 42 miles in 10 days (March 9-18).
She called the event quite an honor for her since she has been involved for 20 years with the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
“What a better way to celebrate than to carry the Torch for the World and to have it represent my true heart for Special Olympics and for all my special athletes,” said McClanahan. “Special Olympics is more than just sports, but sports serve as an agent that leads to a life of acceptance, found ability, which leads to confidence creating healthier, happier lives. The type of life we all deserve and strive for.”
She felt it was also an important way to celebrate everyone to include those with intellectual disabilities for their abilities rather than their disabilities.
“We all deserve to be treated equally. Another thought that resonated is that this movement started with one police chief, one department 35 years ago in the U.S. Imagine what other movements could be made around the world to help people live happier lives if one person just took action,” she said.
In addition to carrying the torch, she also spoke in Gmunden (a town in upper Austria) to a group of citizens during the run and spent time with a Special Olympics athlete.
McClanahan also got a chance to visit a part of the world she may never get to see again.
“The country’s views were absolutely breathtaking. It was hard to capture the true feeling of what we experienced through pictures, but we did our best. The people were great, treated us like celebrities and cheered us on all the way,” she said.
According to the Virginia Special Olympics Committee, the torch run unites officers from law enforcement agencies and corrections departments across the state in an effort to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Virginia. Torch run efforts raise funds, including collecting corporate sponsorships, selling T-shirts and hats and hosting unique fundraising events such as Tip-A-Cops, Polar Plunges and golf tournaments.
Each summer, law enforcement officials carry the Flame of Hope across the state culminating with the Torch Run Final Leg, and the lighting of the cauldron to officially open the Special Olympics Virginia Summer Games in Richmond. The 1,900-mile, seven-day Torch Run involves more than 2,000 law enforcement officers and personnel representing more than 200 law enforcement agencies across Virginia.
It was started in 1981 in Wichita, Kansas, by Police Chief Richard LaMunyon, who saw a need to raise funds and increase the awareness of the Special Olympics by involving his officers in the community.
The event has now grown to more than 46 countries and in 2012, 97,000 law enforcement officers raised more than $46 million to support community-based programs for people with intellectual disabilities. It is now the largest grassroots effort for Special Olympics.
For more information on Special Olympics or the torch run, visit specialolympicsva.org or www.torchrunva.com.
