Special Olympics Torch Run started in Ashland on Friday morning
By Bob Palermini, Ashland.news
The Ashland Plaza was alive with police activity early Friday morning, but no crimes were being committed. Officers from Ashland, Eagle Point, Medford and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department were gathered for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, a fundraiser for Jackson County Special Olympics.
Nationwide more than 97,000 police and sheriffs officers take part in the run supporting local Special Olympics.
For the Jackson County event, officers, Special Olympics athletes and other supporters were challenged to run 17 miles along Highway 99, starting at the Ashland Plaza and ending at the Central Point Police Department. Local police agencies have raised $6,000 toward their goal of $30,000 for the year.
The run will continue across Oregon finishing at the 2024 Special Olympics Summer Games opening ceremony in Corvallis, July 12.
For more information or to donate, visit support.soor.org/team/587733.
Bob Palermini is a resident of Ashland, where he is a volunteer staff photographer for Ashland.news, as well a board member. Email Palermini at bobpal@gmail.com.
Related story: ‘Guardians of the Flame’ torch run treks 17 miles for Special Olympics (June 28, Rogue Valley Times)
