To a great community – thank you!

June 19, 2014 · 0 Comments

Dear editor:

For the past three years I have been coordinating the Shelburne leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Ontario. The event had a 10 year absence from Shelburne prior to the 2012 return. The event raises awareness and funds for Special Olympics Ontario which provides year round sports training and athletic competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

It has been an honour to organize this worthy event through its host; the Shelburne Police Service. This year, Andrew Fines, also a Constable from the Shelburne Police Service jumped on board as co-organizer.

The event has been a much bigger success than I ever imagined and the success is due to the ongoing selfless and willing support from the local communities. Businesses, organizations and individuals step up every year and make my role as organizer easier. The selfless and generous sponsors; both businesses and individuals, make simple work of raising the significant funds we achieve year after year. This year we raised over $13,500 for Special Olympics Ontario. A large portion of this is due to our sponsors!

I want to thank the following sponsors for their generous contributions: • Scotia Bank, First Street Orangeville – They matched $5000.00 in funds raised, provided volunteers for the event and entered a run team • KTH Shelburne Manufacturing – $1500 sponsorship and entered a run team • Shelburne Free Press and Orangeville Citizen – Created posters and ads for the event and ran ads for weeks promoting the event. • Downey’s Potato Farms – $500 Sponsorship • John’s No Frill’s – Fully sponsored the BBQ for all runners and provided their parking lot for the finish line location, awards ceremony, and BBQ. They also entered a run team • Shelburne Residence and Nursing Home – Financial Sponsor, provided volunteers, and entered a run team • Shelburne Home Hardware – Sponsored the draw for a patio set for all participants and provided volunteers • Pete’s Deli – Held Toonies for Torches Fundraiser for 4 weeks leading up to event, provided coffee and treats at the event as well as volunteers • Auto Centre Dufferin – Financial sponsor provided side-by-side vehicle to assist with the event and provided volunteers for the event. • Stock Transportation – Provided a bus and driver for the event. • Trillium Ford – Financial sponsor

Of course, the key to the success of the event are the runners and run teams. Over 120 runners registered this year for the event. The supportive and energetic community spirit the runners bring to the event is refreshing and inspiring. In addition to the run teams already mentioned under the sponsors I would like to thank Centre Dufferin District High School (staff and students), Dufferin OPP, Dufferin County Ambulance Service, Shelburne and District Fire Department, Dufferin Child and Family Services, Shelburne Town Council, Georgian College Employment Centre, RBC Shelburne, PACE Credit Union, as well as individual runners who joined in the event.

Members of the Town of Shelburne Administration and Shelburne Works Department also need to be acknowledged and thanked for their assistance in keeping me organized leading up to the event, and their extensive assistance and support during the event.

Finally, a sincere thank-you to everyone who came out and volunteered on May 22nd. This community event would not have been a success without the hard work and dedication of the volunteers from the various local emergency services, organizations, businesses and individuals.

I am humbled by the selfless support and generosity this event has received once again this year from the local communities. I am proud to serve a community that unifies so well when it comes to providing a helping hand to those in need! With sincere gratitude and thanks;

Constable Paul Neumann, Shelburne Police Service