Special Olympic golfer and bowler Jeff Steron says there is nothing quite like being a part of the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.
“It was really a moving moment to be with the athletes, be with all the officers,” Jeff told Denver7. “To have the camaraderie that was out there for everyone, it really gave me a lift.”
Raising more than $840,000 last year alone, the Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics Colorado.
“It's a positive day where we get to do something with our athletes and our family members and the community,” Arapahoe County Deputy Brian McKnight said. He’s been taking part in the torch run for more than 20 years.
His favorite part?
“Seeing people as we run down the 16th Street Mall counting cadence and people just getting excited about the cause of special Olympics.”
The officers take their job as Guardians of the Flame very seriously.
“It’s the Flame of Hope for athletes to participate and be part of something bigger in their lives,” Deputy McKnight said. “It's a pretty big honor for law enforcement to be part of.”
Jeff says it’s an honor to run alongside the officers. He just hopes he’s in shape.
“I'm not really training,” he said. “But I'll be out there and I'll do the best that I can.”
Law enforcement officers from all around the state will be joining together at the state capitol on Thursday, June 1 at 11:30 a.m. After a brief ceremony, they will run the Flame of Hope down the 16th Street Mall toward the Pepsi Center. From there it will head to Grand Junction, where the Special Olympics Colorado summer games will be held starting June 9.
