Law Enforcement Torch Run comes to Lincoln

[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.

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]