SCPD Proud and Honored To Participate In Law Enforcement Torch Run For Special Olympics

Today, SCPD was honored to carry the torch on our leg through Santa Cruz. Our team of runners made their way from Harbor Beach along the coast through downtown and finished on the courthouse steps.

The torch journeyed from one end of the county to the other. SCPD was one of eight law enforcement agencies in Santa Cruz County to participate in the torch run to support Special Olympics.

 

A PROUD TRADITION -  Every year a team of SCPD officers runs for this worthy cause each June. The Special Olympics torch is hand-carried from Southern California to the Summer Olympics site by law enforcement officers throughout the state.

The mission of the Northern California Law Enforcement Torch Run is to support Special Olympics Programs by raising funds and promoting public awareness while enhancing the quality of life for our athletes. SCPD has participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run since its inception in 1981.

Charged with being “Guardians of the Flame,” law enforcement officers carry the torch throughout California handing it off in each jurisdiction.

Proud to be in such good company for a great cause. Well done everyone!

If you are interested in donating to our local Special Olympics athlete programs, visit the donation website:

 http://www.specialolympics.org/Sections/Donate/Special_Olympics_Torch_Run.aspx

Chief Vogel Congratulates All in Final Leg of World Special OlympicTorch Run

Chief Vogel and Mayor Don Lane honored and thanked the carriers of the torch as they completed the Law Enforcement Final Leg for the World Special Olympic Games.

This group is comprised of officers and athletes from around the globe, completed their journey at The Boardwalk. Chief Vogel was proud to address this awesome group, who represent Special Olympics of NORCAL.

James Durbin was also in attendance and sang his hit "Santa Cruz" for this dedicated group of officers and athletes.

The World Games are in Los Angeles this month (www.la2015.org). With 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 177 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics will be the single largest sporting event anywhere in the world in 2015 and the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games.

The Flame of Hope, which was lit in Greece before traveling here, is being carried by 150 police officers from all over the world and 10 Special Olympic Athletes from all over the world on its way to the World Games.

Thank you to all who participated in making this special event possible. SCPD is proud to support this remarkable group of officers and athletes from around the world complete their journey at The Boardwalk. 

2013 Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run

On June 19^th, local officers from the Santa Cruz Police Department and Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office participated in the 32^nd Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Northern California Special Olympics. 

Officer Brad Burruel, Sheriff's Lieutenant Fred Plageman, Officer John Shepard, Retired Lieutenant Colleen McMahon, Detective Wendy Bynes, Officer Carter Jones, Sergeant Mike Harms, Jennie Harms

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1982 as a way to raise awareness and sponsorship for the Special Olympics.  Charged with being “Guardians of the Flame”, law enforcement officers carry the torch throughout California handing it off in each jurisdiction.  

 John Shepard and Fred Plageman finish this leg of the run

The torch will wind its way through California until it reaches the final destination in Davis, California.  Our local route ran from Watsonville to Scotts Valley.  To view the schedule of torch runs click here:

http://www.sonc.org/events/law-enforcement-torch-run/2013-law-enforcement-torch-run-routes

Locally, police departments and the Sheriff’s Office have centered the Torch Run around other events such as “Tip-A-Cop” to help raise funds for the Northern California Special Olympics. 

Great job and thanks to this year’s team! 

SCPD Participates in Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run

The Special Olympics Torch Run took place on Wednesday June 13th.  Santa Cruz police accepted the torch from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office at the entrance to the Harbor. Seven SCPD officers carried the torch to the County Government Center.  UCSC P.D. Chief Oweis ran with SCPD officers as well.  SCPD handed the torch off to the members of the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s office at the steps of the Courthouse.

The torch run is intended to bring awareness of Special Olympics programs to the community.  Any and all support from our community for this non-profit organization is appreciated by the Special Olympics athletes and their families.  Because of community donations, athletes do not have to pay any money to participate in the many individual and team sports that are available to them through Special Olympics.   

Officers carry the torch from locations throughout California to UC Davis, the location of the Summer Games.  Special Olympics only allows law enforcement agencies to carry the torch even though other groups have requested permission to do so. This is an honor that our law enforcement profession is awarded and we are pleased to participate in such a rewarding and important community fund-raising event.  

If you are interested in donating to our local Special Olympics athlete programs, you can visit the donation website by clicking here.

The SCPD team (pictured below) included Sgt. Arnold Vasquez, Lt. Bernie Escalante, Officer Joe Hernandez, Lt. Colleen McMahon, Officer Ruben Badeo, Sgt. Mike Harms and Officer Forrest Crowell.

Tip-a-Cop Fundraiser a Success!

Yesterday's Tip-a-Cop event, a fundraiser for Special Olympics, raised money and spirits at the Delaveaga Golf Lodge. Off-duty uniformed officers served diners throughout the lunch hour.

Thank you to all that came out to help us raise funds for this important cause! Because of Special Olympics, developmentally disabled athletes and their families are able to enjoy the challenge of training for a sport and then competing against other athletes. It provides an opportunity for the athletes to participate in organized competition and to experience the camaraderie of team and individual sports…all at no cost to them for uniforms, training or transportation. Everybody wins in this endeavor and the parents of the athletes get to see their children display their athletic abilities and smile. Although these experiences may seem simple and everyday to you, they can be magical for a special athlete.

Help SCPD Officers Raise Money for Special Olympics

Want to see your uniformed police operating in a totally different role? Officers from the Santa Cruz Police Department will be volunteering their time to act as wait staff for the Delaveaga Golf Lodge on Wednesday the 20^th from 10 am 1 pm.  Officers will be in uniform serving water and coffee and helping with the service of food, all in hopes of raising funds for Special Olympics athletes in Santa Cruz County. Restaurant patrons will be able to add an extra tip (beyond what they leave for the real wait staff) to support our community’s very special athletes.

Because of Special Olympics, developmentally disabled athletes and their families are able to enjoy the challenge of training for a sport and then competing against other athletes. It provides an opportunity for the athletes to participate in organized competition and to experience the camaraderie of team and individual sports…all at no cost to them for uniforms, training or transportation. Everybody wins in this endeavor and the parents of the athletes get to see their children display their athletic abilities and smile. Although these experiences may seem simple and everyday to you, they can be magical for a special athlete.

Officers enjoy the positive interaction with the public that comes from the Tip-A-Cop event. The athletes look up to the officers and recognize them as friends. Police officers worldwide participate in fund raising events for Special Olympics. 

Please join us at the Delaveaga Golf Lodge for a great cause! You can contact Lt. Colleen McMahon at 420-5857 if you have questions. See you there.

SCPD to Participate in Special Olympics Torch Run

Special Olympics Torch Run, Wednesday June 15, 2011

Officers from the Santa Cruz Police Department run for a special cause every year in June. The Special Olympics torch is hand-carried from southern California to the Summer Olympics site by law enforcement officers throughout the state. SCPD is celebrating our 20^th year of running the torch for this very special cause.

The run brings public awareness to the Special Olympics organization as officers endeavor to raise funds for local athletic programs. All funds raised from this effort stay in Santa Cruz County for our very own Special Olympics athletes. Developmentally disabled athletes are able to participate in team and individual sports at no cost to their families. This opportunity to interact with other teammates and be a part of competitive events is a miraculous gift to a segment of our community who often feel left out of life. The athletes love to be around police officers and they show that appreciation through the big smiles on their faces.

Special Olympics athletes join us each year to run the portion of our leg north of Maple on

Pacific Avenue

. People recognize the Special Olympics logo and cheer the runners on. This is a great event that allows officers to give back to their community in a personal and meaningful way. The athletes make us feel special and we let them know that we admire them.

SCPD Runners will take the torch from the Sheriff’s office at the Harbor entrance on

Fifth Avenue

at 1230. We will carry the torch past the Boardwalk to

Pacific Avenue

and then run to the County Courthouse where we will hand the torch to the District Attorney’s Office.

Anyone who would like to help with the fundraising can go to sonc.org and donate on-line to the Santa Cruz Police Department team. There are also fundraising t-shirts that people can purchase. They are $15 each and are dark blue. Let me know if you’d like to see them and buy one to support Special Olympics athletes.

Thank you!

Colleen McMahon

420-5857