Truck Convoy at Sears Centre to Support Special Olympics Illinois
Truckers will take over 90 West this weekend in support of Special Olympics Illinois!
Law Enforcement and truckers throughout the United States and Canada will join forces to hold the 3rd annual Sears Centre Truck Convoy hosted by the Hoffman Estates and Buffalo Grove Police Departments. The international fundraising and awareness event is a unique partnership between law enforcement and truckers to raise funds for Special Olympics so the athletes can continue to train in year-round sports activities. Officers involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics have made the Truck Convoy one of their annual signature events.
The big event will begin and end at the Sears Centre (5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy in Hoffman Estates) on Saturday, Aug. 26. Registration will kick off at 8 a.m. and the Truck Convoy will start at 10 a.m. Law enforcement officers will escort the Convoy approximately 30 miles along Route 59/90 West to Interstate 90 and Route 47 before returning.
Special Olympics athletes and families, the community, companies, and law enforcement agencies will welcome the truckers as they return for lunch and a celebration, complete with awards and raffles. Guests will hear from Special Olympics Illinois Global Messenger Stephen Katz who will give a speech upon everyone's return!
The Sears Centre Truck Convoy is the first of three events held in Illinois this year. On Saturday, Sept. 9, Troy Police Department will host the 2nd annual Southern Truck Convoy at CIT Trucks in Troy. October 7 will mark year 13 for the Tinley Park Truck Convoy at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre hosted by Tinley Park Police Department.
"Special Olympics has a way of bringing everyone together, setting aside differences and building communities of acceptance," said Katie Risley, Asst. Director-Torch Run. "The fact that Special Olympics can bring together law enforcement officers and truckers is a testament to how the athletes of Special Olympics are a true inspiration."
In 2016 a total of 150 trucks participated and raised $60,000 for the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois. Since 2005, the Illinois Convoy has raised more than $500,000 with a total of 650 trucks.
Trucking companies and truckers who want to participate in this year's event can visit https://www.soill.org/truck-co to register. The minimum donation to participate in the Special Olympics Truck Convoy is $100 per truck. Trucking companies bid additional sponsorship funds to win the coveted spot of leading the convoy.
Special Olympics Illinois is grateful to presenting sponsors CITGO and Idealease for supporting the Sears Centre Truck Convoy.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the single largest year-round fundraising vehicle benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. The annual intrastate relay and its various fundraising projects have two goals: to raise money and to gain awareness for the athletes who participate in Special Olympics Illinois. The Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised $44 million over 31 years while increasing awareness of Special Olympics Illinois athletes and their accomplishments.
Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 17 sports for more than 22,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities and nearly 20,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. To learn more, or to get involved, visit www.soill.org.