June 19 was one of the hottest days of the year in Sudbury so far, but that was just enough to make everyone feel cool about supporting Special Olympics Ontario through the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run.
The event began with a gathering at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre in Bell Park with a group of police officers and other first responders who find time each year to support the Special Olympics fundraiser, which has become the charity of choice for the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and scores of police services across Ontario.
Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS) chief Paul Pedersen spoke to the gathering in what would be one of his last official duties as the head of the city police service. Pedersen officially retires from GSPS on June 22.
In March, he announced he was resigning his Sudbury job as he had accepted a position as the new executive director of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.
Pedersen told the Torch Run crowd that police charity initiatives such as the walk-and-run event in Sudbury help to raise thousands of dollars for the Special Olympics, with money for sporting programs that enrich the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.
"And just last week at the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police conference, I had the pleasure of announcing that across the province, we fundraised $150,000 through the actual Torch Runs, just the Torch Runs by purchasing these T-shirts for $20," said Pedersen.
He said the torch run and other events such as the annual Polar Plunge are essential to keeping the Special Olympics successful in Ontario.
"Listen to this, we raised over $50,000 a year in Sudbury that stays here in Sudbury," said Pedersen. He added that across Ontario in 2023 alone, the chief's association succeeded in raising $2.5 million.
Pedersen said that kind of success doesn't happen in isolation and he thanked the many corporate sponsors that continue to ensure the success of torch run events.
Pederson added that none of the success would have happened without the help and cooperation of the Sudbury Police Association.
The walk-run event was held at 11 a.m. and proceeded from Bell Park to The Walford Sudbury retirement residence with stops along the way to collect high-fives and meet students at both École St-Denis and Lockerby Composite School.
Len Gillis is a reporter at Sudbury.com.
