Date: June 14, 2005
Contact: Michael Hopkins
Phone: (708) 534-7090
Fax: (708) 534-8399
Email: m-hopkins@govst.edu
For Immediate Release
University Park, June 14, 2005 – The Department of Public Safety at Governors State University will participate in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics on Wednesday, June 15, at approximately noon.
“Students, faculty, staff, and members of the community are all invited to run with us and to support the athletes of the Special Olympics Summer Games,” said Governors State DPS Sergeant Debra Boyd. “We welcome runners, bike riders, walkers, roller-bladers – anyone who wants to help out and show their support.”
Runners and other participants should sign up before the race in the Department of Public Safety’s office in Room C-1375 on the university’s main campus.
The GSU portion of the run is expected to start at the university’s east entrance at approximately noon. “But depending on how fast the runners before us are running, we might start earlier than noon,” Sergeant Boyd said. “So we ask that people who are participating call DPS at about 10 a.m. to confirm the actual time.”
The Department can be reached at 708-534-4900.
Volunteers are also needed to help with the post-Torch Run picnic. The Department of Public Safety will provide hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, juice, water, and snacks for all participants. Other guests are encouraged to offer donations for the picnic lunch.
A picnic will follow on the university grounds outside of E-Lounge. “We’re going to have a great time,” Sergeant Boyd said. “It will be a wonderful day, a great run, and a great picnic.”
“We have volleyball and other games,” Sergeant Boyd said. “We’ll have a moonwalk for kids, too.”
Boyd said the Department’s fundraising goal is $10,000 this year. Officers for the university have been selling and continue to sell Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run gear to help raise money. Hats sell for $12, t-shirts $15, and pins $3. The gear can be purchased from any GSU DPS officer. Direct donations are also being accepted. Checks should be made out to “ISO Leg 9.”
On the day of the run, Sixth District Assistant States Attorneys and University Park Police will hand the Flame of Hope off to GSU’s DPS officers and runners.
GSU will carry the Torch through the university campus and beyond for a handoff to the Illinois DEA.
The Torch will continue its journey until it makes it to the Illinois Special Olympics Opening Ceremony, Friday, June 18, at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium, in Normal.
The Summer Games will continue through Sunday, June 19.
For more information or to donate to the Illinois Special Olympics, contact the Governors State Department of Public Safety at 708-534-4900.
