The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics will be held Wednesday, June 13.
Several members of the Rochelle Police Department will receive the torch from Winnebago County and will carry it through town, passing it on to Lee County officers.
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ROCHELLE — The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics will be held Wednesday, June 13.
Several members of the Rochelle Police Department will receive the torch from Winnebago County and will carry it through town, passing it on to Lee County officers.
The Rochelle Police Department has taken part in the Special Olympics Torch Run for many years, helping raise funds for Special Olympics.
Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition.
The Rochelle Police Department would like to encourage the citizens and businesses of Rochelle to take this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of more than 2.25 million athletes and their families by dropping off or mailing your contribution to Special Olympics, c/o Rochelle Police Department, 416 N. Sixth St., Rochelle, IL 61068. Please make checks payable to: Special Olympics.
If you would like more information, contact Sandy Sullivan at (815) 562-2131.
Route
The Torch Run will begin on IL Rt. 251 and Flagg Road, travel southbound to IL Route 38, east to Lincoln Highway through downtown, over the tracks and then back southbound on IL Route 251 to the Rochelle Municipal Airport on Wednesday.
History
The Torch Run began in Illinois in 1986 with less than 100 runners carrying the torch along five legs: North (starting in South Beloit), South (starting in Cairo), West (starting in Quincy), East (starting in Danville) and the city of Chicago.
Illinois’ first Torch Run raised just $14,039.93, but the seed was planted for future growth. The Torch Run raised $500,000 in Illinois in 1997. Illinois easily surpassed the $1 million mark in 2001, reached the $2 million mark in 2006 and the $3 million mark in 2013. In 2017, the Torch Run reached another milestone when it raised more than $4.4 million. Making it the third highest grossing program in the world.