The Park Forest Police Department participated in the annual Special Olympics Illinois Torch Run on Wednesday.

The Torch Run is the single largest year-round fundraising movement benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. According to its official website, The Torch Run has two goals: to raise money and raise awareness for the athletes participating in Special Olympics Illinois.

Locally, the Torch Run started with the Matteson Police Department, which handed the torch off to the Richton Park Police Department at the 7-Eleven store, 425 Sauk Trail in Park Forest. Richton Park Police handed the torch over to Park Forest.

Park Forest Officers then carried the torch north on Lakewood to Orchard Drive, south on Orchard to Main Street, east on Main Street through Downtown Park Forest, and then north on Western Avenue to Rt. 30, where they handed the torch to officers from the Olympia Fields Police Department. 

Approximately 3,000 officers carry the Flame of Hope nearly 1,500 miles, running through thousands of Illinois communities via 23 different legs (routes) to its final destination at the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games in Normal.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run has selected “TOGETHER WE CAN” as the theme for 2024. It will use #ILTorchRun24 on social media to inspire officers and departments to spread the word about how the Torch Run transforms the lives of Special Olympics athletes in Illinois.