Law Enforcement Torch Run

Rochester Police Officer to Light Cauldron at Special Olympics State Summer Games Opening Ceremonies

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  Rochester Police Department
Paul Toussaint, Chief
23 Wakefield Street
Rochester, NH 03867

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Rochester Police Officer to Light Cauldron at Special Olympics State Summer Games Opening Ceremonies

Rochester Police Department Community Engagement Officer Kyle Danie will light the ceremonial cauldron to kick off 2018 Special Olympics New Hampshire State Summer Games. (Courtesy Photo Rochester Police)

ROCHESTER — Chief Paul Toussaint is pleased to announce that Community Engagement Officer Kyle Danie will light the ceremonial cauldron to signify the start of the Special Olympics New Hampshire State Summer Games later this week.

The lighting of the cauldron will serve as the culmination of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, during which the Flame of Hope will be carried more than 500 miles by participating law enforcement officers from throughout the state.

On Friday, June 1, residents are encouraged to come out and cheer on the Rochester officers running Rochester’s portion of the Torch Run. Officers receive the torch from members of the Farmington Police Department on Route 11 at the town line at approximately 6:30 a.m.

They will run the torch on an eight-mile stretch from Route 11, through downtown, up Rochester Hill Road and will then hand off the torch to the Somersworth Police Department.

The Flame of Hope will conclude its journey at the University of New Hampshire’s Wildcat Stadium. The Opening Ceremonies parade will begin at 8 p.m. in the stadium, and Officer Danie will light the cauldron to officially open the games.

“Officer Danie has been fantastic in his role as our community engagement officer, and I know he is eager to be involved in an incredible event that brings so many people together,” Chief Toussaint said. “The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a meaningful tradition that we’re all proud to take part in, and we’re all looking forward to it again this year.”

Officer Justin Seckendorf of the Rochester Police Motor Unit will also represent the department at the opening ceremony, where he’ll ride a department motorcycle in the motor parade for the Olympians.

During this year’s Summer Games, 800 athletes from across New Hampshire will compete in numerous events.

About the Law Enforcement Torch Run:
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics (LETR) is a volunteer movement that was established by members of the law enforcement community to support the Special Olympics. The mission of LETR is to increase awareness and raise funds for the Special Olympics movement.

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Bedford Police Officers and Firefighters to Participate in Polar Plunge to Raise Money for Special Olympics

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For Immediate Release

Monday, April 2, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Bedford Police Officers and Firefighters to Participate in Polar Plunge to Raise Money for Special Olympics

BEDFORD — Police Chief Robert Bongiorno and Fire Chief David Grunes are pleased to announce that members of the Bedford Police and Fire departments will be taking part in the Polar Plunge at Long Lake Beach in Littleton this weekend, to raise money for Special Olympics Massachusetts.

WHERE:

Long Lake Beach, 18 Town Road, Littleton

WHEN: 

Saturday, April 7, at 11 a.m.

WHO: 

The Bedford Police and Fire departments have partnered with the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics Massachusetts to take part in their fifth annual Polar Plunge event.

The LETR is an international charity made up of law enforcement officers that raises funds and increases awareness for the Special Olympics.

Special Olympics Massachusetts provides year-round training, athletic competition and other programs for over 12,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state. Special Olympics is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

WHAT:

From the shore of Long Lake Beach, officers and firefighters will run into the frigid water, along with dozens of other participants, on the day of the event. Before they take the plunge, however, police officers and firefighters participating in the event will be seeking donations to help reach their goal of raising $1,000.

For more information about how to donate, click here.

“What a great opportunity for our departments to join together to raise money for the Special Olympics. We are very fortunate to be able to participate in this year’s event,” Police Chief Bongiorno said. “I want to thank everyone in advance for their generous donations and hopefully the water isn’t too cold this weekend!”

Fire Chief Grunes said, “The firefighters and police officers that have volunteered to participate in this event epitomize the quality and passion of men and women that serve our town.”

The Polar Plunge is one of LETR’s premiere fundraising events of the year. In 2017, more than 1,000 people participated in plunge events in Pittsfield, Sharon, Marlborough, Hull, Revere and other towns. The events raised over $400,000 for Special Olympics Massachusetts.

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*Media Advisory* Over 100 Massachusetts Police Departments to Participate in Special Olympics Cruiser Convoy

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 9, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

*Media Advisory*

Over 100 Massachusetts Police Departments to Participate in Special Olympics Cruiser Convoy

BOSTON, MA — Over 100 police departments from throughout Massachusetts will come together Saturday for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, forming a Cruiser Convoy that will ride together to the Special Olympics Massachusetts Summer Games

WHEN: 

Saturday, June 10, 2017

WHERE: 

Members of the media interested in interviewing participants or observing the convoy’s departure may do so by showing up at any of these locations prior to the scheduled departure time. 

  • Southwest: Departs from I-95 northbound rest area in Mansfield at 9:30 a.m.
  • South Shore: Departs from the South Shore Plaza (near Macy’s) at 10:15 a.m.
  • Cape Cod: Departs from the Friendly’s at 10 Canal Rd. in Sagamore at 9:15 a.m.
  • North Shore: Departs from the Liberty Tree Mall at 9:45 a.m.
  • Middlesex North: Departs from Camp Curtis Guild in Reading at 10:15 a.m.
  • West: Departs from the Lee service area at 8 a.m. and the Natick service area on the Mass Pike at 10:30 a.m.
  • Final Rally Point: Entire convoy departs from Boston College Law School at 11 a.m.
  • Destination: Harvard University athletic fields,

WHO:

More than 100 police departments, including every department from Essex County, and as many as 25 department chiefs.

WHAT: 

Police Departments from all corners of Massachusetts will join forces for the 10th annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Cruiser Convoy, which will rally around the athletes participating in the Special Olympics of Massachusetts Summer Games.

With lights and sirens activated as they drive toward Harvard University, law enforcement officers will draw attention to the excitement of the games before spending time with the athletes and their families, congratulating them for their accomplishments at the games.

“We are eagerly anticipating the Cruiser Convoy, which will be nothing short of an epic display of support for the athletes who make the Special Olympics so great,” Middleton Police Chief James Digianvittorio said. “I have no doubt that it will be a fun day, and I know that my fellow officers from throughout the commonwealth all take great pride in being able to bring smiles to the athletes’ faces.”

For more information on the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Massachusetts, click here.

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Bedford Police Participate in Law Enforcement Torch Run

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Bedford Police Department
John J. Bryfonski, Chief of Police
55 Constitution Drive
Bedford, NH 03110

For Immediate Release

Friday, June 3, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 603-792-1350
Email: [email protected]

Bedford Police Participate in Law Enforcement Torch Run

BEDFORD, N.H. — Chief John Bryfonski is pleased to announce that the Bedford Police Department participated in this year’s Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit their local Special Olympics team.

Left to right: Captain Daniel Douidi, Officer Patrick Gilligan, Officer James McMillen, Sgt. Kevin Bowen, Officer Eli Krause, and Sgt. Devon Kimball.
Left to right: Captain Daniel Douidi, Officer Patrick Gilligan, Officer James McMillen, Sgt. Kevin Bowen, Officer Eli Krause, and Sgt. Devon Kimball.

Nine officers from the Bedford Police Department ran the route on June 1, which started at the Merrimack/Bedford town line and ended at Bedford High School. Each officer who participated donated $25 to the cause. Participants were met at the finish line by fellow department members, police cruisers, and members of the Bedford Bobcats Special Olympics team.

The Bedford Police Department has participated in the torch run for over a decade. In addition to this race, the department also takes part in an initiative where officers can donate money in order to grow out their beards for charity.

“I am proud of our department for the enthusiasm for which they support the Special Olympics,” Chief Bryfonski said. “Our officers work with charities year-round in order to better the lives for those in our community and beyond.”

For more information about Special Olympics or how to get involved with Bedford’s fundraising efforts, please contact the Bedford Bobcats.

About The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics:

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a year-round fundraising and awareness building program, designed to give members of the law enforcement community the opportunity to support Special Olympics athletes who live, work and compete in their local communities.

In 1981, Wichita, Kan. Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to increase awareness and support of Special Olympics, so he started the program, which was quickly adopted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. What began simply as escorting the Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremonies of the summer games, winter games, and all other athletic competitions, turned into one of the largest grassroots fundraising programs in the organization. Today, all 50 states and more than 35 countries actively participate in the LETR program.

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