Special Olympics BC Press Release
The Chair of Special Olympics BC, Ms. Pamela Keith, along with athletes Allan Hunter and Sheryl Spurr, presented Superintendent Dean Robinson with a plaque in honour of the commitment the VPD has made to supporting the organization and the special athletes that compete.
In addition to the VPD’s fundraising efforts, many officers volunteer as coaches at Club Fit, working with the athletes to help prepare them for competition.
Superintendent Dean Robinson spoke about what his involvement with Special Olympics BC has meant to him.
SUPERINTENDENT DEAN ROBINSON
REMARKS
There’s a reason they are called Special Olympics. The reason is not written down anywhere, and it’s not spelled out in an official definition. But each of us in our own way knows the reason why these Olympics are so special.
For most of us, it’s because the athletes themselves are so special and remarkable, and it’s also the way they make us feel when we have the honour of working with them and helping them to reach their goals.
It is their spirit, their determination and courage, and their heart-melting smiles that lift those of us in law enforcement who are lucky enough to join them in their quest for gold.
We are so pleased to be able to contribute to their success and, in many ways, they are actually the ones who are helping us.
I want to thank the many members of the Vancouver Police Department who have contributed so generously this year to Special Olympics BC. They reached into their pockets and their overtime banks to donate more than $ 44,995.00 to send many athletes to the Games.
Traditionally we’ve run for the cause. The Law Enforcement Torch Run was started in 1981 in Wichita, Kansas, by Police Chief Richard LaMunyon. Chief LaMunyon saw an urgent need to raise funds for and increase awareness of Special Olympics. He proposed the idea of police officers running in support of Special Olympics athletes, while raising financial contributions from fellow police officers, private individuals, and the business community.
From this modest beginning, the Law Enforcement Torch Run is now the largest fundraiser and public awareness vehicle in the Special Olympics movement, with over 85,000 officers in 35 countries, raising over $46 million for Special Olympics last year, and more than $461 million since its inception in 1981.
The BC Law Enforcement Torch Run is one of many successful programs in Canada. Over the years, they have raised in excess of $3.4 million for Special Olympics BC and have helped to increase the athlete base to 4200 registered athletes in 55 different communities throughout the province. Law Enforcement Torch Run members from a number of different law enforcement agencies hold campaigns and events year-round in communities throughout BC, making it the largest provincial fundraising program for Special Olympics BC.
I’ve been lucky enough to have had many proud moments in my law enforcement career, but none make me prouder than when I stand with the athletes of the Special Olympics.
About Special Olympics BC:
Special Olympics BC is dedicated to providing individuals with intellectual disabilities opportunities to enrich their lives and celebrate personal achievement through positive sport experiences. In 55 communities around the province, we provide year-round training and competitive opportunities in 18 different sports to more than 4,200 athletes of all ages and abilities, thanks to the dedicated efforts of over 3,200 volunteers.
For more information, please visit www.specialolympics.bc.ca. Find us on Facebook and Twitter @sobcsociety.
