Members Of Madison Police To Participate In Special Olympics Run

MADISON, NJ — Madison Borough will assist in carrying the "Flame of Hope." On Friday morning, Special Olympics athletes and members of the public will join Madison police officers in carrying the torch as part of the law enforcement torch run.

The Torch Run is divided into 26 segments throughout New Jersey, but the Madison leg will pick up the torch around 11 a.m. at the American Legion on Ridgedale Avenue and travel 2.1 miles to Hartley Dodge.

Local officials have warned motorists that there will be rolling road closures during the run.

The law enforcement torch run, now in its 39th year, is the largest fundraiser for the Special Olympics.

More than 3,000 officers will take to the streets of their respective communities on one of 26 different routes to help carry the "Flame of Hope" nearly 750 miles across the Garden State in order to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics New Jersey.

"The annual Torch Run is stronger than ever thanks to these dedicated men and women of law enforcement, and we will continue to come together as a community in support of the Special Olympics New Jersey mission," said Chief Robert Belfiore Retired Deputy Chief of the Port Authority of NY/NJ and Director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey has long been recognized as one of the top grassroots fundraising organizations for Special Olympics, with over $2 million raised annually by officers through local and statewide events.

Year-round fundraising events in New Jersey include an Adopt-a-Cop campaign for the annual Torch Run, three Polar Bear Plunges, the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge 5K, the United Airlines Plane Pull and golf outings.