EVANSTON, IL - On June 2, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. the Evanston Police Department will be participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. 

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest year-round fundraising vehicle benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. The annual intrastate relay and its various fundraising projects have two goals: to raise more funds and gain awareness for the athletes who participate in Special Olympics Illinois. Each year, officers in Illinois run more than 1,500 miles carrying the “Flame of Hope” through the streets of their hometowns to ultimately deliver the “Flame of Hope” to the State Summer Games in Normal during June. 

Evanston PD will be running the last segment of Leg 6 which starts in Winthrop Harbor, IL at 6:00 a.m. Evanston PD will be staged at Isabella and Green Bay waiting to take the torch and run with it to the Evanston Police Department. The comfortably paced run will be a little less than three miles.

Not only officers run the Torch Run, citizens are encouraged to participate. Officer Bernhardt who has been involved with Special Olympics longer than any existing member of EPD says, "As a Police Officer, it is my duty to protect and that duty is carried over to the Special Olympics. Law Enforcement members are known as the Guardians of the Flame and that is more than a duty, it's an honor. Come out to a fundraising event and meet some of the athletes from Evanston who directly benefit from every dime we collect. It's amazing how much of a difference we can make in someone's life!" 

Please come out and participate by running or supporting the runners. The cost to run is $25.00 all of which goes to Special Olympics Illinois. Money is collected at the staging area.  If you have questions about the Torch Run please email Officer Bernhardt or Officer Carmichael.