This previous June, Particular Olympics Massachusetts celebrated their tenth 12 months of the Cruiser Convoy, an occasion that goes hand in hand with The Legislation Enforcement Torch Run®. LETR is a year-round fundraising and consciousness constructing program, designed to permit members of the legislation enforcement group the chance to assist Particular Olympics athletes who dwell, work and compete of their native communities. The Cruiser Convoy began right here in Massachusetts and now takes place each June together with Summer season Video games. Legislation Enforcement officers from all around the state will begin at one in every of three factors, every one representing the north, south and west. As these convoys drive in, all of them converge at Boston Faculty Legislation College in Newton earlier than persevering with on to the Harvard Athletic Services in Allston. That is the place we host our Summer season Video games, and because the Legislation Enforcement automobiles arrive, they create one remaining line of automobiles and blast their lights and sirens in recognition of the accomplishments of the athletes. Following the convoy, the officers award medals and ribbons to the members within the Summer season Video games, touring to the six completely different competitors venues to share the enjoyment and happiness following the competitors. We’re glad to be celebrating 10 years of officers coming collectively to assist Particular Olympics by becoming a member of the convoy, presenting medals, interacting with athletes and having fun with the Summer season Video games!
This 12 months, there have been over 180 cruisers within the convoy, elevating over ten thousand {dollars} for Particular Olympics Massachusetts!! Co-Administrators of the Government Council for MA LETR: Retired Attleboro Chief of Police, Rick Pierce and Middleton Chief of Police, Jim DiGianvittorio began the Cruiser Convoy in 2007 after attending the Worldwide Legislation Enforcement Torch Run Convention held in Oklahoma Metropolis, OK . On the convention they realized about an occasion known as the “Truck Convoy to Profit Particular Olympics” which consisted of tractor trailer vans convoying throughout the state elevating funds and consciousness for Particular Olympics. From this occasion stemmed the thought of switching tractor trailer vans with police cruisers, making an LETR Cruiser Convoy occasion the place cruisers from all around the state might come collectively, elevating funds and consciousness for Particular Olympics. The Massachusetts LETR Cruiser Convoy is the one and solely cruiser convoy in the USA, and the variety of cruisers has nearly doubled from the primary convoy in 2008 when there have been 95 cruisers, to this 12 months’s occasion which noticed 180 cruisers. When requested why different police departments and volunteers ought to become involved with this occasion Rick Pierce said “This occasion helps different cops all through the state to find out about Particular Olympics and people with mental disabilities. The officers get a possibility to work together with the athletes and their households at this occasion they usually get the chance to current medals to the athletes. It additionally serves as a means for the officers to study extra in regards to the LETR and presents them the chance to take part in different LETR fundraising occasions to profit Particular Olympics.” In each elevating cash and consciousness for Particular Olympic Massachusetts, we’re glad to have fun ten years of the Cruiser Convoy and problem you to become involved!
In case you are enthusiastic about getting concerned, both as a part of the convoy if you’re in Legislation Enforcement or as a volunteer, please contact megan.hoffman@specialolympicsma.org or go to their web site www.masstorchrun.org to search out out extra about this superb occasion!