WHY THEY RUN
Law Enforcement Torch Run is for Special Olympics
LANTANA — As Bob Mooney stood in a parking lot Wednesday morning amid a sea of law enforcement vehicles and running enthusiasts clad in workout gear, he recalled the origins of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.
“I can tell you that the first year, I ran the torch by myself,” said Mooney, who has coordinated the event for all 35 years in Palm Beach County. “We went from just me to, I think, close to 300 runners.”
Now a retiree, Mooney has co-coordinated the run with his wife, Sarah, who is the Chief of the West Palm Beach Police Department, for the past three years.
The purpose of the run is to generate attention and funds for Special Olympics Florida, crucial elements to the success of the organization.
“It’s incredibly important because we provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, and we do that all at no cost to the athlete or their caregiver, so it’s very expensive,” said Laura Collins, director of the run.
According to Mooney, law enforcement raises close to $1 million for Special Olympics through the run and efforts with organizations like Publix.
“It’s instrumental for us to put on our programs, to host our events, and to provide for our athletes, whether its equipment,
uniforms, supplies,” said Richard Fleming, a Director with Special Olympics Florida. “We appreciate everything that law enforcement does for us here.”
Fleming, who has been with the organization for 25 years after catching “Special Olympics fever” after attending the State Games one year, was on hand Wednesday with several athlete leaders.
“We want to support their event like they are supporting us,” Fleming said.
Wednesday’s run ended at the Royal Palm School, where participants were greeted by Special Olympics athletes.
The run was one of several throughout Florida before the State Summer Games in May at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Law enforcement members carry the torch into the venue in front of cheering supporters.
Mooney, who was the proud father of a former Special Olympian and has continued to dedicate his time to events like the torch run, says the opening ceremony in Orlando is memorable. “I worked in law enforcement for 44 years, and that was the most thrilling thing in my whole life,” he said.