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Shelburne Torch Run supports local Special Olympians




The 4th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), hosted by Shelburne Police Service, is set to take place on Friday, June 5th.
The event starts at Fiddle Park at 10:30 a.m., and finishes at John's No Frills, with a charity barbecue for participants.
The 4km run/walk will take registered participants through downtown Shelburne to create awareness and raise funding for Special Olympics.
The LETR was brought back to Shelburne in 2012 after a 12 year absence in the community.
In year one, 100 runners and 16 teams took part in the event, raising over $15,000. In 2013, the Torch Run once again had 100 runners and 15 registered teams taking part – raising over $13,000.
Last year, another 100 runners and 18 teams took part raising an amazing $14,000.
Of course the event wouldn't be possible without sponsorship. Past event sponsors have included: John's No Frills, Shelburne Home Hardware, Pete's Deli, Dufferin Auto Centre, Downey Farms, Auto Centre Dufferin, KTH Shelburne Manufacturing, Trillium Ford, Orangeville Citizen & Shelburne Free Press, Shelburne Residence, Stock Transportation.
In February 2014, the Shelburne Torch Run event won one of five ‘Raising the Torch' Awards in Orillia for raising “above average” funds for the size of the local police service.
Footage from the Shelburne event, which was covered by CTV News in Barrie, has also been used in promotional videos and commercials for the Torch Run.
At home, the Torch Run partners with special Olympic athletes through the local high school, and a portion of the funds raised will go on to support Special Olympic Athletes right here in Dufferin County.
So, what's new for 2015?
“Our goal to match the $15,000 raised in 2012,” Constable Neumann told the Free Press.
Shelburne residents and local companies are encouraged to take part in the action – challenging each other, while building team spirit and raising much needed funding.
The official Torch Run banner and flame will lead the way at this year's Run, and a bus (for those who may have difficulty completing the course) will bring up the rear.
Confirmed 2015 sponsors include: KTH Shelburne Manufacturing; John's No Frills; Pete's Deli; Shelburne Residence; Stock Transportation; Auto Centre Dufferin; Shelburne Free Press and Scotia Bank.
Registered run teams to date include: Shelburne Police Service; Orangeville Police Service; Dufferin OPP; Dufferin County Paramedic Service; Shelburne and District Fire Department; Dufferin Child & Family Services; CDDHS; Shelburne Residence; Pete's Deli; John's No Frills; KTH Shelburne Manufacturing; Georgian College CECS; Shelburne Residence; RBC; People's Credit Union; Shelburne Town Council; Shelburne Town Works.
The Torch Run started in 1981 in Wichita, Kansas and was hosted by Police Chief Richard LaMunyon.
Chief LaMunyon and five of his fellow officers ran 5 miles to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics.
In 1987, the Torch Run came to Canada via Lorne White of the Toronto Police Service. In its first year in Ontario, the event raised over $100,000.
In 1999, the Ontario Torch Run broke the $1 million mark for the first time.
The Ontario leg of the LETR now raises over $1 million each for Special Olympics, including Shelburne's contribution.

By Wendy Gabrek
Post date: 2015-05-07 19:19:19
Post date GMT: 2015-05-07 23:19:19
Post modified date: 2015-05-13 19:19:23
Post modified date GMT: 2015-05-13 23:19:23
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