Local athlete carries torch
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Special Olympian Ryan Hansen had the honor this year of leading the June 9 Torch Run into downtown, where several local athletes waited to greet the runners.
Hansen was pleased to be able to participate in the event.
“It was fun,” said Hansen.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
CONGRATULATIONS! — Ryan Hansen, at left, a local athlete who carried the torch in the annual Torch Run for Special Olympics held June 9, is given a congratulatory hug by his grandmother, Linda Avery, of Presque Isle.
His proud grandmother, Linda Avery, of Presque Isle, was on hand to congratulate him upon the end of his run.
“I’m so proud of him,” said Avery. “He was looking forward to this.”
Organizer Sgt. Joey Seeley, of the Presque Isle Police Department, was pleased the weather held for this year’s run, which took runners from Fort Kent to the final destination of the Summer Games held June 11 and 12 at the University of Maine at Orono.
“This is not the first year we’ve utilized an athlete. Ryan ran all the way from the Caribou Road to KeyBank. That’s quite impressive,” said Seeley.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
SPECIAL OLYMPIAN Ryan Hansen led this year’s Torch Run into downtown Presque Isle. Pictured from left are: Sgt. Dan Menard, Maine Warden Service; athlete Ryan Hansen, carrying the torch; U.S. Border Patrol Agent Boutot; Officer Cole Chandler, Presque Isle Police Department; and U.S. Border Patrol Agent Ferland. Three unidentified U.S. Border Patrol agents are also partially visible in the photo.
Hansen was one of several individuals participating in the event.
“We had approximately 16 volunteers participate in the local run. It was a great turnout,” said Seeley. “The Law Enforcement Torch Run sought to raise $250,000 this year. This is the largest fundraiser for Special Olympics Maine.”
Last year’s Torch Run raised approximately $200,000. Each year nearly 700 members of Maine law enforcement run approximately 900 miles carrying the Flame of Hope. The state is divided into 15 sections or legs. Each leg covers a portion of the state and the run concludes on Friday evening of the Special Olympics Summer State Games at opening ceremonies.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
GREETING ATHLETES — Warden Alan Dudley, of the Maine Warden Service, and Officer Lynn Hartley, Presque Isle Police Department, take a break from participating in the Torch Run June 9 to shake hands with a number of Special Olympians gathered on Main Street in Presque Isle.
Participants in the Caribou to Presque Isle leg of the trek included volunteers and law enforcement officers from the Maine Warden Service, U.S. Border Patrol and Presque Isle Police Department.
Donations are always welcome, said Seeley.
“If individuals or businesses would like to donate, they can send their donations to me at the PIPD, 43 North Street, Presque Isle, ME 04769,” said Seeley.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
STEVE RICHARD, director of Central Aroostook ARC, at right, and Sgt. Joey Seeley, PIPD, who served as an organizer for this year’s Torch Run for Special Olympics, joined several local athletes in Presque Isle June 9 to welcome Torch Run participants as they made their way through town.
For further information on the Law Enforcement Torch Run or Special Olympics Maine, contact your local police department or call the SOME Torch Run liaison, Lisa Bird, at 879-0489 ext 15, or visit www.specialolympicsmaine.org/torch_run/index.asp.
