The 2012 Law Enforcement Torch Run

For over 30 years, Special Olympics Florida has provided year-round Olympic sports training and athletic competition for thousands of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The Sheriff's Office has been a long time supporter of Special Olympics Florida through the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Every year, law enforcement around the world participates in fundraising for Special Olympics; and as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement officers carry the Torch of Light from city to city during the Law Enforcement Torch Run. The Hillsborough County leg of the 2012 Law Enforcement Torch Run will be held on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. The event will start at Ballast Point Park (5300 Interbay Blvd.), travel North along Bayshore Blvd., and finish at the Tampa Bay Convention Center (333 S. Frankin St.) for a total distance of approximately 5.5 miles. A short check presentation ceremony on behalf of all Tampa Bay area law enforcement to Special Olympics Florida will immediately follow the run.

You can help the Sheriff's Office show support for Special Olympics Florida by purchasing the new 2012 LETR gear. 2012 LETR shirts and hats are now available through the Community Outreach Division. Shirts are $12.00 each, and available in sizes small to XXXL. Hats are $10.00 each, and adjustable to one size fits all. Combo packs, which include (1) shirt size and (1) hat, are also available at $20.00 each. 100% of all the proceeds raised go to benefit Special Olympics Florida. To find out more about the Hillsborough County leg of the 2012 LETR, or to obtain your 2012 LETR gear through the Sheriff's Office, please contact the Community Outreach Division, Deputy Chris DePolis, at (813) 247-8115, or visit us online at http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/Articles/Articles/Special-Olympics-Torch-Run.aspx.

The Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games will be held May 18-19, 2012, at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex (700 South Victory Way, in Buena Vista, Florida.) For more information about Special Olympics Florida or to donate to them directly online, please visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org.