Police

The North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics unites officers from law enforcement agencies and corrections departments across the state in an effort to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics North Carolina. The first Torch Run was organized in 1987 when relays were run from Raleigh and Charlotte to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Fetzer Field, site of the 1987 SONC Summer Games. The Torch Run efforts to raise funds include: collecting corporate sponsorships, T-shirt and hat donations and hosting unique fundraising events such as building sits, polar plunges and golf tournaments.

Each May, Greenville Police Officers partner with athletes from Pitt County Special Olympics to run the Flame of Hope through Greenville as part of the Torch Run Relay. The 2,000-mile, 15-day Torch Run Relay involves more than 2,500 law enforcement officers and personnel representing more than 200 law enforcement agencies across North Carolina.

Each year the Greenville Police Department participates in several fundraisers as part of the NC Law Enforcement Torch Run. Torch Run T-shirts are available for a small donation. For 2012 shirts are available in both cotton and the popular Dri-Fit material.

The Greenville Police Department hosts a Polar Plunge each February as part of the NC Law Enforcement Torch Run. In 2012, the event saw 30 plungers and raised $10,473 for Special Olympics North Carolina. The public is invited to participate for a small donation that includes lunch and an event T-shirt. Prizes are also given to the top individual and team fundraiser.