FARMINGTON— Thirty-five officers and family members participated Thursday in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, running along Route 2 from the Mt. Blue Shopping Center in Farmington to the State Police Barracks in Skowhegan.
“The total for the run today alone was $3,200 and we will raise another $1,000-$1,500 as a result of this week’s run,” organizer Matt Casavant of the Maine State Police said in an email Thursday night. “The $3,200 is from local businesses who contribute $100 to get a sign “Adopting A Mile” of the run. It is a program started in Franklin County and has now become a statewide fundraising event raising approximately $15,000 a year,” he said.
With 3,400 athletes competing in games, the $225,000 raised by law enforcement officers across the state helps support their programs, games and raises awareness, Casavant said.
The run ends Friday at the University of Maine in Orono, where the summer games will be held through Sunday.
For nearly 30 years, law enforcement has held fundraisers to help support the Special Olympics in Maine.
Officers also look for any “gimmicky idea” to raise funds, such as donut eating contests, selling paper torches and staying on the roof of a Dunkin’ Donuts. One officer stayed the 24 hours to raise $2,000, he said.
“Ask a police officer and he’ll go do it,” Casavant added.
Casavant said he starts fundraising for the Special Olympics in January and ends in December.
“I’m hooked for life,” he said.
Starting the run along with Casavant were state police Lt. Don Pomerlow, state police Trooper Randall Keaten, Carrabassett Valley police Chief Scott Nichols, Franklin County Detective David St. Laurent and Deputy Nick Zecher, Game Warden Kris McCabe, Christian Garzia, Aaron Quint and Brandon Smith from the Border Patrol.
Family members Aimee Dalton, Angie Casavant and daughters, Emma and Allison, also ran along with the officers.
Ron Morin of Carrabassett Valley supplied an ambulance to carry supplies and the Farmington Police Department and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department provided an escort as the runners made their way along the highway.
abryant@sunjournal.com
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- Police officers participate in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics in Farmington on Thursday. From left, front, are Maine State Police Lt. Don Pomerlow, Carrabassett Valley police Chief Scott Nichols carrying the torch, Aimee Dalton, wife of a police officer, and Nick Zecher of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department; back, state police Trooper Matt Casavant carrying his daughter Allison while daughter Emma Casavant runs beside him.
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- Preparing to start the Law Enforcement Run for Special Olympics in Farmington on are police officers and family members. From left, front, are David St. Laurent, Angie Casavant with daughters Emma and Allison, Aimee Dalton and Christian Garzia; second row, Ron Morin, Matt Casavant, Scott Nichols holding the torch, Lt. Don Pomerlow, Randall Keaten, Nick Zecher and Kris McCabe.
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- Running along Route 2 from Farmington to Skowhegan on Thursday are enforcement officers and family members in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. From left are Carrabassett Valley police Chief Scott Nichols, Maine State Police Lt. Don Pomerlow, carrying the torch, Aimee Dalton, Franklin County Deputy Nick Zecher; back, state police Trooper Matt Casavant looking at his daughters, Emma and Allison, running along with him.
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- Police officers and family members took turns carrying the torch in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Maine in Farmington on Thursday. The group includes Maine State Police Lt. Don Pomerlow, Carrabassett Chief of Police Scott Nichols carrying the torch, Deputy Nick Zecher of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, Game Warden Kris McCabe, Aimee Dalton; back, organizer state police Trooper Matt Casavant.
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