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In 2007, officers of the North Ridgeville Police Department initiated and participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics. The Torch Run is designed to raise awareness and donations for the Special Olympics. In addition to officers from North Ridgeville, officers from the Avon Police Department, the United States Coast Guard, and the Elyria post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol also participated. For the 2008 Torch Run, all of the participating agencies from the previous year returned. Additionally, officers from the Avon Lake Police Department and students from the Lorain County Community College Police Academy participated. To date, nearly $6,000.00 has been raised for Special Olympics. A large percentage of these donations have come from the citizens and businesses of North Ridgeville. 

The Torch Run began in 1981, when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw a need to raise funds for, and awareness of, Kansas Special Olympics. He felt that Special Olympics was a fitting cause to unite local law enforcement officers, giving them closer ties to the community and to a very special population.

After three successful years, Chief LaMunyon presented his highly successful Torch Run program to the International Chiefs of Police (IACP). With the support and endorsement of the IACP, the idea was launched nationally, and today involves law enforcement officers from all fifty states and over 25 countries around the world. What began as a local fundraiser has become the largest fundraising program in the world to benefit the Special Olympics.

Special Olympics Ohio is a not for profit organization that provides year round sports training and competition in a variety of sports to over 20,000 adults and children with developmental disabilities. Special Olympics provides them with continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness and demonstrate their courage. 

 For the Ohio Special Olympics web site, click here.