CT Special Olympics Torch to Pass Through Middletown Thursday 6/10

Connecticut Special Olympics "Flame of Hope" June 10, 2010 at 12:44 the Torch Run will go through Middletown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For Information Contact:
June 8, 2010 Det. Brian Hubbs, 860-344-3226

Annual Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run Coming to Middletown

MIDDLETOWN - On Thursday, June 10, 2010, the CT Special Olympics “Flame of Hope” will be passing through Middletown, carried by Special Olympics athletes and supported by the Middletown Police Department.

At approximately 12:44pm, the Flame will cross the Middletown/Middlefield town line. Middletown Police Department patrol officers, detectives, and SWAT operators have raised money to benefit the CT Special Olympics, and will be running alongside local athletes in support. The Flame will travel east on Washington Street to Broad Street, culminating in a 30-minute pep rally at approximately 1:10 p.m. The pep rally, hosted by Chef’s Palate Restaurant and MiddleOak Insurance Company, will be held on the patio of the MiddleOak Building on Broad Street, and is open to the public. Area residents and businesses are encouraged to come out and support athletes and runners as they make their way with the Flame through the center of the City.

After the pep rally, athletes and runners will continue down Broad Street to Main Street, and pass through an impressive line of fire trucks from all Middletown Fire Districts, Fire Departments from surrounding towns, and a host of antique fire trucks from CT Cellar Savers in Portland.

The athletes and runners will continue their run through the city, west on Grand Street to Newfield Street, and turn over the Flame to members of the Cromwell Police Department at the Cromwell/Middletown town line.

This event continues to be made possible by the continuous support and contributions of the Middletown Police Union, the Middletown Police Benevolent Association (PBA), and several area businesses including Connecticut Rental Center, Coca-Cola of Middletown, Dattco Bus Company, and Illiano’s Restaurant (South Main Street location). There have also been countless individual donors who show their continued support.

For questions, more information, or to make a donation to the CT Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, please contact Detective Brian Hubbs at the Middletown Police Department, 860-344-3226.

OR

Heather Desmond
Support Services
860-344-3200 hdesmond@middletownctpolice.com

More details from the CT Special Olympics website:

What is the Law Enforcement Torch Run

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® is Special Olympics' single largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. The International Torch Run Program raises more than US $34 million a year for Special Olympics world-wide. More than 85,000 law enforcement officers carried the "Flame of Hope" around 50 states and 35 nations, and raised awareness and funds for Special Olympics.

Connecticut's Law Enforcement Torch Run

In 1986, Connecticut had its first Torch Run with a few legs converging onto the campus of the University of Connecticut at Storrs. The run then became a statewide event involving several more cities and towns. Since it's inception, the Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run has grown into the largest grass roots fundraising event for Special Olympics Connecticut.

The 2010 Law Enforcement Torch Run: June 9th - June 11th

The Torch Run will cover over 539 miles and run through more than 100 cities and towns. Over 1,500 Law Enforcement officers and Special Olympics Athletes will participate in this year's Torch Run. These officers represent local, state and federal departments, agencies and correctional facilities.

• Day 1 - The run will end with a rally at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard.

• Day 2 -The day will end with the routes meeting in Hartford where runners will come together for a celebratory wrap-up of the day's events.

• Day 3 -The last day will end when the routes meet in New Haven for a celebratory wrap-up of the day's events at a site to be determined.