BY AMY BALTODANO
Hays Post

Over the months of May and June, 965 officers from over 97 agencies are expected to carry the Flame of Hope throughout 35 counties in Kansas as they travel to the annual Special Olympics Summer Games in Wichita.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a series of runs that will travel approximately 1,500 miles throughout the state.

The Hays Torch Run will start at 8 a.m. June 27 at 600 S. Vine.  Officers from Ellis County Sheriff’s Office and Hays Police Department will run south on Vine to U.S. 183 and continue to Schoenchen — approximately 12 miles.

The public is invited to cheer on the runners as they pass.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in Wichita in 1981 with six runners and has grown to an international program that involves thousands of Law Enforcement personnel raising millions of dollars annually to benefit Special Olympics programs in the United States and abroad.

The Torch Run is the largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics Kansas. Officers volunteer hundreds of hours each year and in 2014 raised more than $522,000 in support of Special Olympics Kansas programs.

The feat was accomplished by holding events and fundraising through the torch run, special event fundraisers (i.e. Polar Plunge, Truck Convoy), sponsorships and donations. Kalmar Industries is the Guardian of the Flame.

Complete details of times and routes are available on www.kansastorchrun.org or contact Roberta Oborny at (785) 432-1728. You can support the Torch Run by making a secure donation online at www.kansastorchrun.orgor contact Luke Schulte at 620-408-4450.