Brown County law enforcement and surrounding agencies participate in a 12-mile run, bike, walk along the East River Trail to help raise money for Special Olympics of Wisconsin, June 10, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
LEDGEVIEW, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — An annual tradition in Brown County is blazing trails and building bonds.
On Monday, the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, the Green Bay Police Department and other surrounding agencies got together for the Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics of Wisconsin.
Law enforcement, athletes and their families gathered at Ledgeview Park to bike, run, walk, or rollerblade a 12-mile route along the East River Trail to raise funds for Special Olympic athletes.
A lighted torch carried by two athletes led the way.
Joshua Sanford, deputy sheriff with the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, says this event goes beyond just raising money for the athletes but provides athlete support and boosts confidence. It also fosters special bonds between athletes and law enforcement.
“We love doing it because we love making the connection with the athlete. I’ve developed — and I’m speaking for myself but I know I can speak for a lot of the other officers — we’ve developed a lot of friendships with these athletes and it’s very important because these athletes are comfortable talking to us now and not just in the sense of when we host these games but also if something maybe questionable happens to them in their personal lives, they know they can contact us and that we can talk to them and they have that comfort level to be able to work with us,” Sanford said.
At the end of the run, Mission BBQ provided a picnic lunch for participants.
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