This previous June, Particular Olympics Massachusetts celebrated their tenth yr of the Cruiser Convoy, an occasion that goes hand in hand with The Regulation Enforcement Torch Run®. LETR is a year-round fundraising and consciousness constructing program, designed to permit members of the regulation enforcement group the chance to help 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 along with Summer season Video games. Regulation Enforcement officers from everywhere in the state will begin at one among three factors, every one representing the north, south and west. As these convoys drive in, all of them converge at Boston School Regulation 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 Regulation Enforcement autos arrive, they create one closing line of vehicles 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 individuals within the Summer season Video games, touring to the six totally different competitors venues to share the enjoyment and happiness following the competitors. We’re completely satisfied to be celebrating 10 years of officers coming collectively to help Particular Olympics by becoming a member of the convoy, presenting medals, interacting with athletes and having fun with the Summer season Video games!
This yr, 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 Regulation Enforcement Torch Run Convention held in Oklahoma Metropolis, OK . On the convention they discovered about an occasion referred to as the “Truck Convoy to Profit Particular Olympics” which consisted of tractor trailer vehicles convoying throughout the state elevating funds and consciousness for Particular Olympics. From this occasion stemmed the thought of switching tractor trailer vehicles with police cruisers, making an LETR Cruiser Convoy occasion the place cruisers from everywhere in the state may come collectively, elevating funds and consciousness for Particular Olympics. The Massachusetts LETR Cruiser Convoy is the one and solely cruiser convoy in the US, and the variety of cruisers has nearly doubled from the primary convoy in 2008 when there have been 95 cruisers, to this yr’s occasion which noticed 180 cruisers. When requested why different police departments and volunteers ought to get entangled with this occasion Rick Pierce said “This occasion helps different law enforcement officials all through the state to study Particular Olympics and people with mental disabilities. The officers get a chance to work together with the athletes and their households at this occasion and so they get the chance to current medals to the athletes. It additionally serves as a means for the officers to study extra concerning 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 completely satisfied to rejoice ten years of the Cruiser Convoy and problem you to get entangled!
In case you are thinking about getting concerned, both as a part of the convoy if you’re in Regulation Enforcement or as a volunteer, please contact megan.hoffman@specialolympicsma.org or go to their web site www.masstorchrun.org to seek out out extra about this superb occasion!