PORT ANGELES — It’s that time of year again when law enforcement officials across the state raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics.
Each year, officers from all agencies on the Olympic Peninsula participate in running the Special Olympics Torch from the Elwha area to Hood Canal in support of the Special Olympics of Washington Games held in June.
This year’s run is set for Wednesday — where deputies, officers, troopers and more will carry the torch and pass it off to Kitsap County that evening.
“Law enforcement officers from all over are stretched out and ready to take part in this year’s Special Olympics Torch Run,” said Clallam County Undersheriff Ron Cameron in a press release.
Port Angeles Police Chief Brian Smith said Monday he is looking forward to his department participating in the run.
“It’s for a great cause and it gets a lot of attention for the Special Olympics,” he said. “We’re really looking forward to it. It’s a lot of fun.”
As a fundraiser for the program, T-shirts that commemorate this year’s run are available for sale in all sizes for $20. Contact Cameron at 360-417-2570 or rcameron@co.clallam.wa.us to purchase a shirt. All funds go to support the program and the money is dedicated to local Special Olympics teams the Orcas (Clallam County) and the Warriors (Jefferson County).
During the Clallam-Jefferson run, Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict plans to lead a group of walkers with the torch from the City Pier to the old Rayonier site.
“It’s one of the best programs going for kids with developmental disabilities,” Benedict said Monday. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for law enforcement and the public to come out and support the special Olympics.”
Officers will then stick to the Olympic Discovery Trail through Sequim where, at 1 p.m., Chief Sheri Crain of the Sequim Police Department will lead people on another opportunity to walk from West Sequim Bay Road to Simdars Road.
The run will continue eastward to U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 104 with the help of corrections officers from the Clallam Bay Prison.
At the state Highway 104 interchange, Jefferson County authorities will take the torch and with help from the Port Townsend High School track team, will go on to the Hood Canal Bridge, where they will meet the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Canoe Family who will transport the torch across the canal to the Kitsap side, depending on weather.
Kitsap Officers take the torch to Pierce County, where the final leg is started to Joint Base Lewis McChord on June 1; that’s where the games are scheduled to begin the following day.
Smith and Chief Mike Evans of the Port Townsend Police Department traditionally commit themselves to run a full leg with the torch for their commitment to the program.
The National Park Service, Clallam Bay Prison, State Patrol, Sequim, Port Angeles, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Port Townsend Police are a few of the agencies that traditionally participate in the annual event.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
