Northern Arizona law enforcement officers join hands to benefit Special Olympics

Northern Arizona Law officers got together for a Greek folk dance at Taverna Greek Grill
Photo courtesy of Coconino County Sheriff's Office

Northern Arizona Multi-Agency Law Enforcement Team thanks the community for supporting Special Olympics

 Flagstaff, AZ - Staff members from the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, Flagstaff Police Department and Grand Canyon Park Service send their appreciation to the many community members who made the recent Tip-A-Cop fundraiser at Taverna Greek Grill a huge success.
The event took place Monday,  Jan. 9 and over $1,400 was raised for Arizona Special Olympics. This event is just one of several sponsored by law enforcement agencies and local businesses that help support local Special Olympics Athletes and enable them to reach their goals, helping to dispel the myths surrounding the capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities.
Throughout Arizona law enforcement agencies participate in what is called The Law Enforcement Torch Run, which was founded by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Each year law enforcement personnel run, walk, and bicycle to carry the Special Olympics Torch throughout Arizona communities. The final destination is the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics Summer Games in Phoenix.
While the carrying of the Torch will occur at the end of April, law enforcement personnel raise money year round for Special Olympics through donations, pledges, product sales, and special events. Fundraising is only part of the goal of the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Community outreach and education are also a big part of the goal. Similar events occur nationally and internationally.
In the past, some of the events that have been sponsored by Northern Arizona law enforcement agencies include Tip-A-Cops, the Polar Plunge, golf tournaments, discount card sales, and raffles. This year we hope to gain more community involvement in not only the fundraising events but also as we complete different legs of the Torch Run. We will be reaching out to the community for more ways they can participate in the near future.
To learn more about the Law Enforcement Torch run please visit the website at www.arizonatorchrun.com.
For more information about the entire Special Olympics program visit www.specialolympicsarizona.org. Also, you may contact agency representatives Lisa Bishop of the Flagstaff Police Department at 928-679-4037 or Corey Ringenberg of the Coconino County Sheriff's Department at 928-226-5241.