For 26th Year, Police Officers Run To Raise Funds for Special Olympics
Run Spanned 750 Miles, Crossed Mackinac Bridge
By Paul Gingras

Representatives of Michigan police organizations take part in the 26th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Tuesday, September 11, raising money for Special Olympics Michigan. Pictured are Kendall Snow (carrying the Special Olympics torch) of the Michigan Department of Corrections, Eric Morgan (with flags), also of the Michigan Department of Corrections, Laura Keiser (partially hidden), Aaron Payment (to her right), chairman of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and Michigan State Police Sergeant Kevin Sweeney (back).

Raising money for Special Olympics Michigan, members of several Michigan police agencies, a Special Olympics athlete, and the chairman of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians ran across the Mackinac Bridge Tuesday, September 11, carrying a Special Olympics torch. They were running in the 26th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run, a 750- mile endurance relay. As they crossed the bridge, the Michigan State Police Dive Team swam the Straits of Mackinac, adding their own contribution to the event.

The torch run began in Copper Harbor Monday, September 10, and finished Friday, September 14, in Sterling Heights. The total amount of money generated by this year's run has not been tallied yet, said Vanessa Walsh, public relations director for special Olympics Michigan. Last year, the Torch Run and its related fundraisers generated $285,000, she said.

Christina Paquin, Special Olympics athlete from St. Ignace, saw the local group off at the foot of the bridge, where the torch was handed over to the next runner. Miss Paquin said she enjoyed the event and said she would like to take part in the Torch Run next year. She competes locally in nine sports for Special Olympics Michigan, including track.

Highlighting the run was the presence of Todd Williams of Petoskey, the only Special Olympics athlete to take part in this year's trek across Michigan. Beginning in St. Ignace, Mr. Williams ran a 30-mile portion of the route.

The event involved members of the Michigan Department of Corrections, the Michigan State Police, and the Fraternal Order of Police, accompanied by local participants along the way.

Just prior to running the bridge, Mr. Williams said he was "excited for it," noting that he ran the span with Governor Jennifer Granholm Monday, September 3, prior to the 50th Annual Mackinac Bridge Walk. After completing the trek, he said, "I love the view."

Among the bridge runners was Aaron Payment, chairman of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Prior to beginning his run across the bridge, Mr. Payment presented Special Olympics Michigan with a $5,000 check on behalf of the tribe at the Michigan State Police post in St. Ignace.

The central route team included Dave Katz of Livonia, Kendall Snow of Haslatt, Eric Westerlund of Whitehall, Laura Keiser of Concord, Nick Smith of Lansing, and Eric Morgan of Sault Ste. Marie.

The runners were spread out as they crossed the state, for most of the trek, but at the bridge, several members of the organization came together.

Michigan State Police Sergeant Kevin Sweeney said the torch run is a "great cause" that police prepare for all year.

Mr. Morgan has participated in fundraising for Special Olympics Michigan for years, and finds the run well worth the effort, he said. He enjoys watching the summer games athletes, who compete for the sake of it, he said, rather than focusing on winning only.

Jennifer Hodgson, of the Michigan State Police Dive Team, wanted to do something different to show awareness and support for Special Olympics Michigan. The dive team sold T-shirts throughout the year to raise money for the athletes, in preparation for the swim across the Straits.