June 5th, 2013

Delaware Law Enforcement Torch Run, Special Olympics Delaware, 3-Day Event, Gala Send-Off, Wednesday, 6/5, The “Flame of Hope”, The Summer Games, Delaware

The 27th Annual Statewide Law Enforcement Torch Run began tonight with a send-off at 7 p.m. from the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand.  In the 26 year history of Delaware Law Enforcement for Special Olympics, more than $4.3 million has been raised.

I was so surprised to see cars bumper to bumper on Coastal Highway around 8 p.m.  Then, I saw it.  The “Flame of Hope”.  The very front officer was carrying it.  It will be carried  by over 500 police officers 160 miles over 3 days across the state, leading up to the Opening Ceremonies of the 43rd Summer Games.  Delaware is the only state in the country that runs a lit “Flame of Hope” the entire length of the state prior to its Summer Games.

Runners lead the “Flame of Torch” out of town with the first mile dedicated to Cpl. Chris Shea, DSP, who was tragically killed in a traffic accident.  The flames stops for the night at the Delaware State Police Troop 7 in Lewes.

The Torch Run resumes on Thursday in 3 Sussex Country locations: Delmar, Lewes, and Georgetown.  The 3 Sussex County legs of the Torch Run unite in Harrington, where the 3 torches will become one and the run will continue north through Kent County. Ceremonies will take place at Legislative Hall in Dover at 2 p.m., Wilmington Police Dept. on Friday, at 1:20 p.m. and the Summer Games Family Picnic on Friday, at 5 p.m.  All times are approximate.

The “Flame of Hope” will then be carried into the Opening Ceremony of the Summer Games, which begin Friday at 7 p.m. at the Bob Carpenter Center.  For more information, please visit http://www.sode.org, or http://www.sode.org/fundraisers/torch-run-for-special-olympics-delaware.

Special Olympics Delaware has been changing the lives of Delawareans for 40 years.   “Over 3,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities have proven that, given the chance, no disability is too great to overcome.”

Have a great time!!

Note:  Information for this post was taken from Special Olympics Delaware.