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SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Police Department and Southern California Special Olympics are teaming together, launching their first Special Olympics Torch Run on Tuesday June 3rd. The relay run will tour through the City. Santa Paula Police Department employees will share in carrying the Special Olympics Torch with Special Olympics athletes on the route. Participating runners from the Police Department have made donations to Special Olympics.
The relay run is part of a larger network of Torch Run events in the region that support Special Olympics athletes with equipment and training for Special Olympics. Local sponsors have also provided donations for supplies to help present the event. The 3-mile route will begin in the mid-morning and will feature the Torch Run on main thoroughfares such as Harvard Blvd., Santa Paula St., and Ventura St. Runners will proudly carry the torch by several schools in the City.
Santa Paula Police Officer Ricky DeLong is the Department’s Special Olympics Ambassador who has coordinated the event with Special Olympics. In establishing a new and proud tradition in Santa Paula, Officer DeLong commented, “It means a lot to start an effort in Santa Paula to support these athletes. It shows our employees’ continued commitment in our community engagement.”
The Santa Paula Police Department proudly supports Special Olympics. For those interested in supporting Special Olympics athletes, donations can be made by visiting the following Special Olympics link HERE
Runners will wear Special Olympics t-shirts during the event. Our local sponsors names will be on the t-shirts and event banners. Without the leadership of Special Olympics and our local sponsors, this inaugural event would not have been possible in our community.
The Santa Paula Police Department is grateful for the partnership with Special Olympics, our community sponsors, and “Santa Paula Together”, the non-profit organization for our Police Activities League (PAL).