On Friday, May 31, Newtown police officers will be completing a five mile run from Dodgingtown Market to Blue Colony Diner for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

Those who would like to support the efforts by local officers are invited to “Adopting-A-Mile” by visiting soct.org. Sponsorship will be displayed with signage along the run route.

All donations will go directly to Special Olympics Connecticut to support all the programs and athletes.

Any questions can be directed to Officer Stephanie McDermott at stephanie.mcdermott@newtown-ct.gov or 203-426-5841.

Officers will carry the “Flame of Hope” across the state on foot, bike and motorcycle to honor athletes and promote inclusion for people of all abilities during the annual Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, May 29-31. To find out more, visit soct.org, email specialolympicsct@soct.org, call 203-230-1201 and/or follow Special Olympics Connecticut and Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run (CTLETR) on Facebook and Instagram.

Among the participants in the Torch Run will be officers from municipal departments and correction facilities, as well as military police and Federal employees, Connecticut State Police and college and university public safety officers. Special Olympics athletes will join in the run in select communities.

Torch Run rallies will be held at Whelen Engineering and Foxwoods Resort Casino on Wednesday, May 29; and Blue Back Square in West Hartford on Thursday, May 30. The rallies at Foxwoods at Blue Back Square will take place around 5 pm each day.

Officers will also run a “Final Leg” during the Summer Games Opening Ceremony at Southern Connecticut State University’s Jess Dow Field, 125 Wintergreen Avenue in Hamden, on Friday, May 31, at 6:30 pm. During the ceremony, they will light a large cauldron and celebrate the start of the Games.

All are encouraged to support their local officers by cheering them on during the three-day Run, attending the Summer Games opening ceremony, which is free and open to all and visiting restaurants and businesses where the officers will host Tip-A-Cop events and additional fundraisers for Special Olympics throughout the year.