Wellesley Island, New York -- The U.S. Border Patrol, Wellesley Island Station will host the 25th anniversary Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run on Saturday, June 4 when the New York State Special Olympics ‘Flame of Hope’ journeys through the Thousand Islands Region of northern New York.
Border Patrol agents, Special Olympic athletes and law enforcement agency representatives will begin their run at the historic Tibbetts Point Lighthouse and follow New York State routes 12E and 12 to Grass Point State Park in the town of Orleans.
A lighting ceremony will take place at 9:45am, followed by the run at 10 am.
“Wellesley Island Border Patrol Station is honored to coordinate this event and support New York Special Olympics and its athletes,” said Patrol Agent in charge Matthew Roggow.
“This is the second year that the Station will coordinate the event in the Thousand Islands region.”
The run is one of many state-wide Law Enforcement Torch runs, all of which precede the New York State Summer Games, also held in June in Utica.
Last year more than 85,000 law enforcement officers from 35 countries carried the ‘Flame of Hope’ across their communities and on into their local games and competitions. In 2010, more than $36 million was raised internationally through Law Enforcement Torch Run initiatives, of which over $1 million was raised right here in New York. The funds generated by the Law Enforcement Torch Run support more than 51,000 Special Olympic athletes who train and compete year round in 22 Olympic-style sports.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
