Special Olympics Of New Jersey's Torch Run

This is a big weekend for the Special Olympics New Jersey as their Summer Games are held at The College of New Jersey beginning with the opening ceremonies Friday night in Ewing. As part of the event some 3,000 Law Enforcement officers will take part in the annual Torch Run, a 28-leg journey that will bring the “Flame of Hope” nearly 900 miles through 387 communities. The runners will start as early as 4:45 in the morning and then ignite the cauldron to open the Summer Games at 7:30 that evening.

Locally some 200 runners are expected to carry the torch 60 miles from Island Beach State Park up Route 35 to Perth Amboy. Another leg will start at the ShopRite on Route 9 in Lakewood with 50 runners traveling 25 miles to Manalapan. There will also be a group of runners carrying the torch some 20 miles through Long Beach Island. Of course this is all being done with the idea of attracting sponsorships and dollars. The first effort in 1984 raised $7000 and was done on a much smaller basis. Each year since it has grown and the number of volunteers has increased to the point where the torch run now raises some $2 million for the Special Olympics.

So on Friday be on the lookout throughout New Jersey as cops do their part to make things better for others.

Manchester Township High School is the latest group to hold a Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society. The school’s inaugural event is this weekend with ceremonies beginning at 3pm Friday and then concluding at sunrise Saturday. Relay for Life is held across the country to celebrate the lives of survivors, remember loved ones who lost their lives to cancer, and raise money so one day we can win the fight against this dreaded disease. Teams of people will be walking around the track at Manchester this weekend to do their part and at the same time bond with family, friends, co-workers and even strangers.