"This is all for the Special Olympics, and [Union City] has been doing this since the day it started," said Officer Chris Scardino, who was one of the coordinators for Union City's run and is president of the PBA Local No. 8.
In North Hudson, law enforcement officers came out for the Torch Run, which would finish at the State House in Trenton for the torch lighting and opening ceremonies. The Special Olympics were held at the College of New Jersey in Ewing.
Union City, which has had a strong record of participation, was no exception with approximately 26 runners signed in that morning.
"Everybody in the department came together as soon as they heard the run was on June 3," said Scardino. "I think it's an excellent sign when everybody comes together as one family to support this cause, and I certainly want to tip off my hat to officers Morgan and Knabner for all they did."
Officers Gene Knabner, Jr. and William Morgan coordinated the Union City run along with Scardino for the first time this year, after Edward Maguire stepped down. He coordinated the event in previous years.
"For the last nine to 10 years, Ed Maguire ran the show, and he always did an excellent job," said Scardino.
Union City's olympians
Starting off at about 10 a.m. in North Bergen, officers ran along Bergenline Avenue to 49th Street, where the torch was handed off to Union City's finest.
"When we first started about 20 years ago, there were about two of us, and every year it just got better and better," said Deputy Chief Joe Blaettler.
According to Blaettler, the Law Enforcement of New Jersey is one of the biggest contributors to the Special Olympics.
As a matter of fact, numerous law enforcement personnel not only participate in fundraising events, but they also volunteer time at the area and chapter events, cooking for the athletes and volunteers, or presenting awards at the competitions.
North Bergen officers handed off the torch to Captain John Barrett, who immediately took off with the rest of his officers down Bergenline Avenue. They continued to run the length of Bergenline Avenue until 22nd Street, where they turned onto Summit Avenue. From there, the officers continued on Summit to Fifth Street, where they turned once again to meet the Jersey City Police officers on Kennedy Boulevard, who would continue on with the torch.
"It's mostly officers, but all ranks are running," said Scardino. "It goes around all over the state, and the games are in Trenton."
Sponsoring the games
The Special Olympics is a national organization with events conducted on the local, county, state and international levels, which depend on voluntary contributions and special fundraising activities to conduct programs year 'round and free of charge for all participants.
Some of the local sponsors for Union City's run include Mayor Brian Stack and the Union City Board of Commissioners, Leber Funeral Home, Payne Weber/UBS, and Summit Pizzeria, among others. Thusfar, the total tally of contributions from Union City has come to about $7,000, but contributions continue to come in about three to four weeks after the torch run. The Union City Police Department is expecting to donate a total of about $10,000 to Special Olympics New Jersey once this year.
The top 10 fundraising police departments are printed up on the torch run t-shirts worn by all the runners during the event.
"We have been in the top 10 before, but our goal is to get to top five," said Scardino.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is an international series of relays by law enforcement officers. Each year, a torch run is held in 50 states throughout the United States and in 35 countries around the world.
"This is good showing; I'm very proud and Union City has always done well," said Charles Everett, chief of police for the Union City Police Department. "I think it's an important event [because] it raises funds and brings awareness to the Special Olympics."
"It's a good day for cops to come together in camaraderie and to gather support for people in need," said Barrett.
Since 1984, thousands of law enforcement volunteers throughout New Jersey have been participating in the Special Olympics New Jersey torch run to raise money for the Special Olympics. These events have raised over $12 million for the Special Olympics New Jersey.
"Any time a group of officers get together for a purpose, it's a good thing," said Father ST Sutton, Union City Chaplain. "It's also important for people to see that they are not only here to protect and serve, but they are also here to support the community, and I'm here to support them."
In the summer of 1968, Eunice Kennedy Shriver and the Chicago Park District organized the first Special Olympic Games at Chicago's Soldier Field, where 1,000 athletes from the United States and Canada competed. For more information or to find out eligibility for the Special Olympics, visit www.sonj.org, or call the Law Enforcement Sponsorship Department at (609) 896-8000.
Post a Comment