RALEIGH – The NC Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics received a Diamond Award for raising $1,190,592.00 for Special Olympics North Carolina in 2014, according to Keith L. Fishburne, president/CEO of Special Olympics North Carolina. The award was presented by the executive council of the International Law Enforcement Torch Run and was given during its 2015 international conference held in September in Nassau, Bahamas.

The North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics unites officers from law enforcement agencies and corrections facilities across the state in an annual effort to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics North Carolina. A statewide committee of officers from various agencies oversees the annual activities of the NCLETR. The 2014 fundraising efforts by the NCLETR ended December 31, 2014.

“Law enforcement officers risk their lives everyday protecting and serving the citizens of our communities, and I applaud their dedication to helping people with intellectual disabilities involved in Special Olympics through the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics,” said Fishburne.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics is officially endorsed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriff’s Association, the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association, International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, NC Department of Public Safety, NC Department of Justice, National Association of School Resource Officers, and the North Carolina Association of School Resource Officers. For more information about the NCLETR, visit www.nctorchrun.com.

About the NC Law Enforcement Torch Run

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an international fundraising campaign for Special Olympics. Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition for more than 4.2 million children and adults around the world who have intellectual disabilities. In 2013, the NC Torch Run efforts resulted in over $1.2 million being raised for SONC. Nearly 40,000 athletes participate in Special Olympics in North Carolina, making it one of the largest Special Olympics programs in the world.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics is officially endorsed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriff’s Association, the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association, the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, the National Association of School Resource Officers, NC Association of School Resource Officers, NC Department of Justice and the NC Department of Public Safety.

About Special Olympics North Carolina

Special Olympics North Carolina offers year-round sports training and competition nearly 40,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. These athletes inspire greatness through their success and provide motivation to the thousands of coaches, sports officials, local program committee members and event organizers involved in Special Olympics statewide. SONC offers Olympic-type competition in 19 sports on local and state levels. Visit Special Olympics North Carolina at www.specialolympicsnc.com. Engage with us on http://twitter.com/sonc_beafan; http://www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsNC and http://www.youtube.com/BeAFanSONC.