Vernon Hills police in Torch Run for Special Olympics
Members of the Vernon Hills Police Department will join representatives from law enforcement agencies across Illinois on Sunday, June 10 for the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.
The purpose is to raise money and increase awareness for the athletes of the Special Olympics. In 2010, the Law Enforcement Torch Run raised more than $38 million for Special Olympics Programs around the world and has raised more than $370 million since its inception in 1981.
There are 23 legs of the Torch Run throughout the state. The eighth leg starts in Gurnee at 6:30 a.m. At 8 a.m., Vernon Hills runners will take the torch at the intersection of routes 21 and 60 and run south about three miles to Route 22, where the torch will be handed off for the next section of the trip.
The journey ends approximately 21 miles south in Lincolnwood, after joining with another leg of the run in Niles.
“We’re proud to once again participate in this worthwhile endeavor,” said Vernon Hills Police Chief Mark Fleischhauer. “Running a few miles to raise money is a small sacrifice to make for the athletes who take part in the Special Olympics.”
The Vernon Hills department has raised more than $2,000 so far this year, when five officers and four family members jumped into Lake Michigan on Feb. 26 for the Polar Plunge.
Call (847) 247-4889 for information on the local Torch Run.