Connecticut Department of Corrections Officers to Host Poker Run

Officers with the Connecticut Department of Corrections will host their 6th Todd Johnson Memorial Poker Run to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut on Saturday, August 11th. The ride will begin at the Carl Robinson Correctional Institute, located at 285 Shaker Road in Enfield. Check-in and day-of-event registration will take place at 8:45 a.m. and start time is 9:15 a.m. A BBQ lunch will follow. The cost to participate is $35 per person, and all vehicle types are welcome; $20 for the BBQ only. The rain date is Sunday, August 12th. For more information, visit soct.org, call (203) 230-1201 or email specialolympicsct@soct.org.

The Todd Johnson Memorial Poker Run is a Law Enforcement Torch Run event to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut.

About the Special Olympics Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run®

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Connecticut is one of the movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicles. This year-round program involves law enforcement officers from across the state who volunteer their time to raise awareness and funds through events including Tip-a-Cops, Cop-on-Tops, and Jail N’ Bail fundraisers.

In addition, each year in June, over 1,500 officers and athletes carry the Special Olympics "Flame of Hope" through hundreds of cities and towns across the state, covering over 530 miles over three days. The runners run the “Final Leg” and light the ceremonial cauldron during Opening Ceremonies for the Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games.

Law Enforcement Torch Run Sponsors:

Platinum Sponsors: Dream Ride, Whelen Engineering, WWE and The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund.

Gold Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets / IGA Hometown Supermarkets and Papa’s Dodge.

About Special Olympics Connecticut

Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for over 12,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports® partners - their teammates without disabilities. Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities throughout the state and in 172 countries around the world by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for all people, on and off the playing field. (www.soct.org)

Partner Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Dream Ride, ESPN, Eversource Energy, The Golisano Foundation, Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC Connecticut, TD Bank, United Technologies and WWE.

Year-Round Suppliers: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Campus Customs, The Coca-Cola Company, Connecticut Portable Storage/PODS, Crystal Rock Water and Coffee Company, Dunkin’ Donuts, Guida’s Milk and Ice Cream, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, Marcus Communications, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service and WORX.