THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN® FOR
SPECIAL OLYMPICS NEW JERSEY
FACT SHEET
 
The mission of The Law Enforcement Torch Run® is to raise dollars and awareness of the Special Olympics movement worldwide.
     
The Law Enforcement involvement with Special Olympics New Jersey began in 1982 when Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officer Stephen Vitale was asked to photograph a local Special Olympics competition. Vitale was so moved by the athletes and their determination that he encouraged other officers to volunteer their time. From that flicker of interest, a legion of Law Enforcement support was ignited and today, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey is a year-round “Champion” sponsor.  
     
In 1984, the first New Jersey Torch Run was conceived to raise funds and awareness for the Special Olympics program. Today the Torch Run travels 950 miles, originating in 27 separate points statewide, and travels through 384 communities, with some 2,700 officers from all branches of law enforcement participating. The final leg runs into Lion’s Stadium to The College of New Jersey and lights the caldron for the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics New Jersey Summer Games.  
     
The New Jersey branch of the volunteer organization, headed by a team of 50 Torch Run committee members, raises funds through programs that vary from two Polar Plunges, Motorcycle Run, Lincoln Tunnel Challenge Run/Walk, the Adopt-A-Cop Torch Run Program, Plane Pull, Golf Tournaments and an ever expanding menu of fundraising initiatives.  
     
In 2007, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey was named second highest grossing funraising program of its kind in the world. Last year alone, this group raised a record breaking $2,043,162.