Law Enforcement Torch Run comes to
Lincoln
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[June 14, 2021]
On Saturday afternoon a small group of law enforcement officers
arrived in Lincoln on foot, running to raise awareness for the
Illinois Special Olympics.
The group included retired Illinois State Police Master Sergeant
Diane Vanderkooy, Illinois State Police Officer Robin Timms,
Illinois State Police Division of Forensic Services Brenda Danosky,
city of Lincoln Police Officer Kolton Johner; Illinois Special
Olympics Board of Director member, Special Olympics Global Messenger
and Health Messenger Ben Simpson; and Special Olympics Athlete Chase
Metz.
Lincoln Police Officer Kolton Johner and Ben Simpson representing
Illinois Special Olympics.
Special Olympian Chase Metz.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run had begun at 8 a.m. in Springfield
with Vanderkooy and Timms. Danosky joined the group in Elkhart just
before noon, and Johner met the group outside of Lincoln at just
past 2 p.m.
Entering the city, Johner was given the honor of assisting Simpson
in carrying the torch to the Lincoln statue on the Logan County
Courthouse Square.
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The group of five also posed with the torch as they arrived at the courthouse.
Left to right in front are Johner, Simpson and Timms. Behind are Danosky and
Vanderkooy.
Torch runs such as the one held Saturday are meant to raise awareness for the
Special Olympics with the state, and hopefully bring in more dollars to support
the program, as well as more volunteers to help with special athletic events.
Special Olympics provides healthy exercise and sports training to individuals
with intellectual disabilities. The Illinois group works with more than 23,000
athletes annually developing knowledge, skill and a huge sense of
accomplishment. In addition Special Olympics works with more than 13,000
children ages two years to seven years old, both with and without disabilities
to again, promote healthy active lifestyles through sports.
The special Olympics mission state reads: Provide year-round sports training and
athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults
with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop
physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a
sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special
Olympics athletes and the community.
The group was joined by a number of other law enforcement officers who also ran
into Lincoln and posed for a photo opportunity at the Lincoln statue on the
Logan County Courthouse lawn.
[Nila Smith] |