The Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run made its return in June 2021 and CDCR is happy to have participated in it again this year. Law enforcement agencies throughout the state join to carry the Flame of Hope during a relay to raise donations for and awareness of the Special Olympics.
Various institutions participated in the Torch Run as representatives of CDCR.
At the Capitol
CDCR employees met at the State Capitol for the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Law enforcement agencies throughout Northern California join for the run to support the Special Olympics.
California Health Care Facility (CHCF)
California Health Care Facility (CHCF) employees participated in a five-mile trek to the Tracy Police Department. The relay leg was one of many taken to carry the Flame of Hope to the 2023 Special Olympic Summer Games. The annual event is a fundraising effort for the Northern California Special Olympics (SONC) Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR).
The 33 runners, bicycle riders, and roller skaters consisted of peace officers, office technicians, and medical and mental health staff members. The group helped CHCF raise over $5,000 for the Special Olympics this year.
California Institution for Men
California Institution for Men (CIM) participated in the Southern California Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run. A total of 14 runners, custody and non-custody, accompanied by the Chino Police Department completed the 4.9 mile run.
The CIM Community Resource Office in collaboration with the Chino Valley Employees Association donated over $8,500 to the Special Olympics.
Warden (A) John Merchant expressed his gratitude and appreciation to all CIM staff and Chino Police staff who participated.
California Men’s Colony
California Men’s Colony (CMC) staff and family members participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC.)
The Special Olympics torch was carried through the streets of San Luis Obispo on an approximately 1.75-mile leg of the relay. CMC staff members and dozens of San Luis Obispo law enforcement members attended in support of SOSC.
CMC employees raised over $1,800 on behalf of SOSC by selling t-shirts supporting the torch run.
“If you participate in the torch run once, you’ll be hooked and want to do it every year,” said CMC Warden Danny Samuel.
Central California Women’s Facility
Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla participated in this year’s Torch Run in support of the Special Olympics. CCWF represented CDCR’s faction of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) team named the Madera Guardians of the Flame. The team was made up of every law enforcement agency within the county of Madera.
“As a resident of Madera County, It is important to keep building relationships with our community we live and serve. I am proud to represent CDCR and CCWF so that we have a positive correctional presence within this community,” stated Courtney Waybright, CCWF Community Resources Manager and planning committee member for the Madera LETR.
The Madera Guardians have been a team since 2011. Each year they have broken their fundraiser goals. This year, through selling prize drawing tickets and collecting donations through Badges with Buckets or various events, the team raised $12,500 The institution’s population contributed $2,000 of the total amount.
California Rehabilitation Center
California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) raised funds and awareness for Special Olympics Southern California.
Dozens of law enforcement personnel carried the Flame of Hope, running two and a half miles through the community of Norco. CRC held a food sale fundraiser for the incarcerated population to raise money for Special Olympics Southern California. Between proceeds raised for the marathon and the food sale, CRC donated over $5,500.
Sierra Conservation Center
Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) staff escorted the Flame of Hope to the 2023 Special Olympics Northern California Summer Games.
SCC was one of hundreds of law enforcement personnel and their agencies from around Northern California. The torch is carried in honor of commitment and dedication to the 26,000 Special Olympics athletes whose lives are enriched by the program.
Collectively, SCC staff raised over $3,500.
“This was a great experience for all involved. SCC staff from various classifications and ranks participated in the event. Some of us were able to bring our children along, showing them the values the law enforcement community stands for. It was special to represent such a large department in our small county,” said Correctional Lt. R. S. Jauregui.
Salinas Valley State Prison and Correctional Training Facility
Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) and Correctional Training Facility (CTF) staff gathered for the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. Twenty-one staff members carried the Flame of Hope in several cities within Monterey County. This year SVSP raised over $1,700 and ran a total of 5.5 miles.