‘FLAME OF HOPE’ ARRIVES IN OC ON JUNE 4

OCPD Officers Participate in Statewide Torch Run Relay in Support for the Special Olympics Maryland 25th Annual Summer Games

On June 4, 2012, law enforcement officers representing all of WorcesterCountywill be taking part in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Relay for Special Olympics Maryland. Last year, over 60 officers escorted and protected the Special Olympics “Flame of Hope” as it made its way from 27th Street and the Boardwalk to North Division Street. The “Flame of Hope” will continue to travel toward the opening of the 42nd Anniversary Summer Games atTowsonUniversity, June 8-10.

This year marks the 27th anniversary of the Maryland Torch Run, a movement that began in 1986 with a handful of officers raising $5,000, and has grown into a year-round effort that involves officers from all 50 states and numerous countries. In 2011 alone, $3.3 million was raised by officers and sponsors in a true year-round effort to benefit Special Olympics.

Since its inception, the law enforcement community worldwide has taken very seriously its role as “Guardians of the Flame,” and the Relay is an important and celebrated part of every Special Olympics competition. The local portion of the Torch Run Relay is part of a much larger effort. Statewide, the Maryland Torch Run Relay consists of four different legs – Eastern, Western, Central and Southern – and throughout the entire week, thousands of Torch Run volunteers will cover hundreds of miles, eventually converging on Towson where the individual flames will be united in the Final Leg Ceremony and then officers from around the state will travel the final 2.5 miles to the Opening Ceremony at Towson University. It is there that the flame is handed off to the Special Olympics athletes who have the honor of taking the final lap with the torch and then lighting the cauldron and officially declaring the 2011 SOMD Summer Games Open.

“Our goal is to raise both funds and awareness for the athletes who train and compete in Special Olympics Maryland,” said Ocean City Police Chief Bernadette A. DiPino. “The Torch Run Relay is really just a small piece of what the dedicated officers from around the state do for the athletes of Special Olympics Maryland on a year-round basis.”

The schedule for Ocean City/Worcester County’s portion of the Torch Run is as follows (all times are approximate and subject to change):

Monday June 4, 2012
■8 – 8:30 a.m.: Pre-Event Ceremonies,27th Street and the Boardwalk,Ocean City,MD
■8:30 a.m.: Torch Run Relay Begins. Run will proceed from27th Street toN. Division St.
■9:15 – 9:30 a.m.: Run Concludes at N. Division Street with Photo Opportunity and Refreshment (Following this, buses will be available for interested participants to proceed to Historic Downtown Berlin, for the second leg of the relay. Those who do not wish to participate in the second leg of the relay are free to leave)
■10:00 – 10:15 a.m.: Meet atWorcesterPreparatory School for Pre-Run Pep Rally
■10:15 a.m.: Begin Second Leg through Historic DowntownBerlin
■10:45-11:00 a.m.: Conclude Second Leg at Berlin Fire Department (approx. 1 mile run)
In addition to the Torch Run, the Ocean City Police Department will be celebrating Torch Run Relay Week throughout the week leading up the Special Olympics Maryland Summer Games. To find out how you can participate in the Eastern Leg of the Torch Run relay or to be a supporter, please contact Sgt. Dennis G. Eade, Ocean City Police Department, 410-520-5309.

The 42nd Anniversary SOMD Summer Games are set for June 8-10 at Towson University. During this celebrated weekend, 1,200 athletes from around the state will go for gold in aquatics, athletics, bocce, equestrian, cheerleading and softball. For more information about Special Olympics Maryland, the Torch Run Relay and the 2011 Summer Games, visit www.somd.org.