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BART Police to carry torch to support Special Olympics athletes

On June 18, 2012, BART Police personnel will carry the Special Olympics “Flame of Hope” in the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR). At approximately 10:30 am, BART Police personnel will receive the torch at the Hayward Police Department and will run 3.5 miles to the Castro Valley BART Station.

From there, BART officers will hand the torch to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department Police Academy Recruits who will carry the torch to Bay Fair Station. Runners representing regional law enforcement agencies will carry the torch throughout the region until it reaches the 2012 Special Olympics Northern California Summer games. The Games take place the weekend of June 22, 2012 at UC Davis where hundreds of Special Olympics athletes will compete in aquatics, bocce, tennis or track and field.

BART is also proud to announce BART Police K-9 Officer Scott Hamilton has been selected to be the “Final Leg Torch Runner” representing Special Olympics of Northern California at the 2013 Special Olympics Winter World Games in North Korea. Officer Hamilton has been involved with LETR for more than 13 years and is passionate and committed to Special Olympics. His selection is symbolic of his volunteer work within the community and his commitment to the athletes.

“I am proud of the men and women of BART’s Police Department for their selfless giving of time, energy and financial support to charities,” BART Police Chief Kenton Rainey said, “The Special Olympics is just one example of the many worthy charitable organizations our staff helps.”
BART Police have raised over $14,000 and is among the top five law enforcement fund raisers for the Special Olympics. Each year officers sells t-shirts, swim in the Polar Plunge, Bike the Bridges, and join other fund raising activities such as Tip-a-Cop and LETR.

The LETR began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw a need to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics. Today, all 50 states and more than 35 foreign countries participate in the LETR, generating more than $34 million a year for Special Olympics Programs around the world. It is the largest grass roots fundraising program and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics. For more information on Special Olympics Northern California, visit www.sonc.org.