Ashley Chandler
Community Newspapers, Inc.
The Callahan McDonald’s and Nassau County Sheriff’s Office partnered Feb. 14 to join Special Olympics efforts.
The Hearts and Heroes event showed much love to the Special Olympics Florida and the NCSO’s Law Enforcement Torch Run. It raised $584 for Special Olympics.
The Valentine’s Day event was held during McDonald’s breakfast hours, 7-10 a.m. NCSO invited the public to “come enjoy a warm, hearty breakfast” and help support “our incredible athletes.”
NCSO Public Information Officer Robert Grant said “all of the money goes toward Special Olympics Florida” in conjunction with the torch run in March. The run is a collaborative effort meant to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics.
The run is set for March 14 at 10:30 a.m.
Grant said it is a 1.26-mile run that starts at the West Nassau High School track and ends at Hagan Ace Hardware.
“We are thankful for the community’s contributions so far, however we continue to raise money. Our goal is to raise $3,000,” Grant said.
To donate, visit tinyurl.com/h3u34ssv.
Grant said the NCSO has been part of the torch run for more than 20 years. The event began in 1981 in Wichita, Kansas “as a way for law enforcement to be active in the community” and support the Special Olympics.
Several NCSO officers and one of the four-legged members, Rip the K-9, attended the event.
In a video shared by the NCSO after the event, Sgt. Bill Quick said, “Special Olympics helps the children in this community be part of the broad spectrum of all the other athletes, meaning kids from all walks of life.”
Quick is the event organizer for the Nassau torch run.
Deputy Daniel Jones said he was glad to see the Callahan community getting out to support the efforts and said he expects a lot of runners at the torch run in March.
Tabatha Eason, general manager at the Callahan McDonald’s, said in the video, “At McDonald’s we like to support our community and our town. Us giving back to them, they give back to us.”
Letr.org says the torch run is now a worldwide movement that “engages law enforcement worldwide to champion acceptance and inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities, starting with their local communities.”
Participants in the torch run are known as Guardians of the Flame. Law enforcement participates at all levels, from local police to state and federal agencies, including military personnel.
Across the nation, numerous fundraising events like Hearts and Heroes are held in conjunction with the Law Enforcement Torch Run such as a Plane Pull, a Polar Plunge, Tip a Cop and a Truck Convoy.
Specialolympics.org says, “There are over 97,000 law enforcement members that carry the ‘Flame of Hope’ annually. The flame symbolizes courage and celebration of diversity uniting communities around the globe.”
Special Olympics says the movement represents over 5.3 million athletes, unified partners, coaches and volunteers.