(Central New York – June 2011) For the 25th consecutive year, the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run will pass through the highways of Central New York.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run features officers and athletes from agencies within the Central New York area, carrying the Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics New York Summer Games, which will be held in Utica on June 10 and 11.

The cauldron will be lit promptly at 8pm on Friday, June 10 by retired New York State Trooper Arthur Ellis at Utica College Gaetano Stadium.

The Torch Run is the largest grass roots fundraiser for Special Olympics New York, which serves supports the year round training and athletic competition of more than 51,000 athletes in 22 sports, the Young Athletes Program, and the Motor Activities Training Program. All programs and events are free to athletes and there is no admission charge for the general public.

The Torch Run, which is organized and run by law enforcement officers from across the state, has historically raised more than $5 million in support of Special Olympics athletes. The partnership between law enforcement and Special Olympics has created an everlasting bond that is based on mutual respect and admiration. In support of athletes, law enforcement officers are willing to run long distances in scorching heat and in driving rain, plunge into freezing cold lakes, wait tables for tips at area restaurants, pull fire trucks and even rappel from the top of extremely tall buildings.

The Flame of Hope began its journey in May, and has journeyed through all regions of the state. The 25^th Anniversary Central Region Torch Run will cross through Central New York streets (primarily on NY Route 5) on June 8 through June 10. Runners will be formally escorted by local police agencies as well as Rural/Metro ambulance throughout the route.

The general public, business owners, and general supporters of the Special Olympics movement are invited to line the streets as the Flame of Hope passes by.

Special Olympics New York provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community. From a backyard summer camp for people with intellectual disabilities to a global movement, Special Olympics has been using the power of sports to help athletes change their lives for more than 40 years.

Approximate Timeline

Wednesday, June 8

Route 5 from former Summit Ford Dealership through Westvale Plaza, 12.5 miles Runners from Cayuga County Sheriff, New York State Department of Corrections, Camillus Police Department, Auburn Police Department, Skaneateles Police Department, New York State Police, Elbridge Police

2:00 pm Former Summit Ford Dealership, Route 5/North Street, Elbridge

2:40 pm – 3:15 pm Elbridge Elementary – presentation including local fire, EMS, and law enforcement

3:50 pm Village of Camillus

4:00 pm WalMart

4:10 pm Lowes

4:20 pm Fairmount Fire Department

4:30 pm Fairmount Fair

4:45 pm End Westvale Plaza, Reception and Media Opportunity sponsored by Geddes Bank (Sponsor)

Thursday, June 9

Route 5 from Holy Cross Church to Nye Ford, 22.71 miles

Runners from Onondaga County Sheriff, Madison County Sheriff, Oneida County Sheriff, Dewitt Police Department, Chittenango Police Department, Canastota Police Department, Oneida Police Department, Whitesboro Police Department, Oneida County District Attorney’s Office

2:00 pm Holy Cross Church, 4112 East Genesee Street, Dewitt

2:30 pm Fayetteville Town Center

2:55 pm Green Lakes entrance

3:30 pm Chittenango Plaza

4:45 pm Madison Blvd.

5:05 pm Roslyn Drive

5:20 pm Wampsville

5:30 pm End Nye Ford, Reception and Press Conference sponsored by Nye Ford

Friday, June 10

Route 5 from State Police Barracks, Oneida to City Hall, Utica, 19 miles Runners from New York State Police, Utica Police Department, Utica College Police, State University of New York Police, Utica Fire Department, Vernon Police Department, New Hartford Police Department, Oneida Indian Nation Police Department

7:00 am State Police Barracks Oneida

7:30 am Dollar General Sherrill

8:10 am Utica/Rome Speedway

9:00 am A White House

9:50 am State Route 5B

10:00 am State Route 12B

10:10 am New Hartford Shopping Center

11:00 am City Hall, Utica, Media Reception and Photo Opportunities

8:00 pm Lighting of the Cauldron by NYSP (Retired) Artie Ellis, Special Olympics New York Summer Games Opening Ceremony, Utica College Gaetano Stadium

(Central New York – June 2011) For the 25th consecutive year, the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run will pass through the highways of Central New York.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run features officers and athletes from agencies within the Central New York area, carrying the Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics New York Summer Games, which will be held in Utica on June 10 and 11.

The cauldron will be lit promptly at 8pm on Friday, June 10 by retired New York State Trooper Arthur Ellis at Utica College Gaetano Stadium.

The Torch Run is the largest grass roots fundraiser for Special Olympics New York, which serves supports the year round training and athletic competition of more than 51,000 athletes in 22 sports, the Young Athletes Program, and the Motor Activities Training Program. All programs and events are free to athletes and there is no admission charge for the general public.

The Torch Run, which is organized and run by law enforcement officers from across the state, has historically raised more than $5 million in support of Special Olympics athletes. The partnership between law enforcement and Special Olympics has created an everlasting bond that is based on mutual respect and admiration. In support of athletes, law enforcement officers are willing to run long distances in scorching heat and in driving rain, plunge into freezing cold lakes, wait tables for tips at area restaurants, pull fire trucks and even rappel from the top of extremely tall buildings.

The Flame of Hope began its journey in May, and has journeyed through all regions of the state. The 25^th Anniversary Central Region Torch Run will cross through Central New York streets (primarily on NY Route 5) on June 8 through June 10. Runners will be formally escorted by local police agencies as well as Rural/Metro ambulance throughout the route.

The general public, business owners, and general supporters of the Special Olympics movement are invited to line the streets as the Flame of Hope passes by.

Special Olympics New York provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community. From a backyard summer camp for people with intellectual disabilities to a global movement, Special Olympics has been using the power of sports to help athletes change their lives for more than 40 years.

Approximate Timeline

Wednesday, June 8

Route 5 from former Summit Ford Dealership through Westvale Plaza, 12.5 miles Runners from Cayuga County Sheriff, New York State Department of Corrections, Camillus Police Department, Auburn Police Department, Skaneateles Police Department, New York State Police, Elbridge Police

2:00 pm Former Summit Ford Dealership, Route 5/North Street, Elbridge

2:40 pm – 3:15 pm Elbridge Elementary – presentation including local fire, EMS, and law enforcement

3:50 pm Village of Camillus

4:00 pm WalMart

4:10 pm Lowes

4:20 pm Fairmount Fire Department

4:30 pm Fairmount Fair

4:45 pm End Westvale Plaza, Reception and Media Opportunity sponsored by Geddes Bank (Sponsor)

Thursday, June 9

Route 5 from Holy Cross Church to Nye Ford, 22.71 miles

Runners from Onondaga County Sheriff, Madison County Sheriff, Oneida County Sheriff, Dewitt Police Department, Chittenango Police Department, Canastota Police Department, Oneida Police Department, Whitesboro Police Department, Oneida County District Attorney’s Office

2:00 pm Holy Cross Church, 4112 East Genesee Street, Dewitt

2:30 pm Fayetteville Town Center

2:55 pm Green Lakes entrance

3:30 pm Chittenango Plaza

4:45 pm Madison Blvd.

5:05 pm Roslyn Drive

5:20 pm Wampsville

5:30 pm End Nye Ford, Reception and Press Conference sponsored by Nye Ford

Friday, June 10

Route 5 from State Police Barracks, Oneida to City Hall, Utica, 19 miles Runners from New York State Police, Utica Police Department, Utica College Police, State University of New York Police, Utica Fire Department, Vernon Police Department, New Hartford Police Department, Oneida Indian Nation Police Department

7:00 am State Police Barracks Oneida

7:30 am Dollar General Sherrill

8:10 am Utica/Rome Speedway

9:00 am A White House

9:50 am State Route 5B

10:00 am State Route 12B

10:10 am New Hartford Shopping Center

11:00 am City Hall, Utica, Media Reception and Photo Opportunities

8:00 pm Lighting of the Cauldron by NYSP (Retired) Artie Ellis, Special Olympics New York Summer Games Opening Ceremony, Utica College Gaetano Stadium