Law Enforcement carries the torch for Special Olympics
(Photo by Victor Corral Martinez) Left to Right: Idaho State Police motorcycle Officer Robert Davis, Local Special Olympics Coach John Beck, Local Special Olympics Athlete Michael Bjoraker, Sheriffs Deputy Alan Schleif, Police Chief Brian Zimmerman, Undersheriff Rich Stephens, Sheriff Dave Kramer, Sheriffs Detective Dave McClelland, 911 Administrator Crystal Denton, US Border Patrol, Supervisory Agent Colby Lane, Sheriffs Detective Cale Watts and Sheriffs Detention Sgt. Bryant Brown.
BONNERS FERRY — The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a campaign to benefit the Special Olympics, and the event made an appearance in Bonners Ferry.
According to Boundary County Sheriff, Dave Kramer, “Law enforcement carries the torch to all the start of games from a local to national level.”
“The Special Olympics provides year-round sports training for all levels of ability,” Kramer said, “this helps to provide training in life skills and ultimately the thrill to compete.”
Sheriff Kramer and Bonners Ferry Police Chief Brian Zimmerman contributed to the Special Olympics Torch Run in 1987, and both continue to contribute to the program’s success.
According to Special Olympics representative, Kristi Kraft, the Special Olympics is the largest health organization for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
“We provide two pairs of prescription glasses per year and have full health assessments through the games,” Kraft said, “We get to help with school diversity and inclusion.”
Over 110 thousand law enforcement officers have helped Special Olympics raise awareness and raised $800 million.
Special Olympics provides support that many youth with intellectual disabilities lose once they graduate from high school; there is a lack of community programs, health assessments and friendships.
According to Bonners Ferry Special Olympics coach, John Beck, providing an athletic outlet for Special Olympics athletes to gain confidence, meet people, and boost everyone involved.
Beck details that COVID-19 has hindered Special Olympics games by canceling spring and summer sports, but is hopeful that the restrictions will eventually end and special Olympics athletes will have a chance to compete again.
“We were gonna have a unified basketball league team, but COVID shut us down,” Beck said.
Every two years, the Special Olympics World Games are held; law enforcement, together with Special Olympic athletes, run the Flame of Hope throughout the host country for the games,
The Law Enforcement Torch Run culminates with the cauldron’s lighting for the Flame of Hope at the Special Olympics World Games opening ceremonies.