PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – For local emergency personnel and volunteers, it’s a love of helping others that drew them to carry the torch for Special Olympics on June 7.
“Once again this year, officers of the Presque Isle Police Department ran and carried the torch in support of Maine Special Olympics. The purpose of the run is to increase public awareness of the very special people the event focuses on and to raise money to help cover the cost of the Olympics,” said Chief Naldo Gagnon, of the Presque Isle Police Department.
Having attended several of the Olympic games over the years, Gagnon said he can personally say the feelings that are stirred within a person when they see these special Olympians compete defies description.
This year’s run began in the Fort Kent region, with various individuals taking part in the different legs of the journey. Participants from Presque Isle met runners from the Caribou area at the radio station on the Caribou Road, handing off the torch much like a relay race. Runners from Presque Isle then made their way to Main Street in Presque Isle where they were met by a number of Olympic hopefuls from the area. The run moved from Presque Isle to Mars Hill, then on to Houlton, before continuing south to other parts of the state.
Taking part in the Presque Isle portion of the run were: Jared Dickinson, son of Presque Isle Animal Control Officer Dan Corey; Officer Lynn Hartley, of the PIPD; Fred Parsons, a firefighter with the Presque Isle Fire Department; Forest Ranger Rob Gross, of the Maine Forest Service; and Trooper Shawn Whalen and his bomb dog Bailey, of the Maine State Police.
In 2006, Gagnon said nearly a quarter million dollars was raised for Special Olympics during the annual run statewide.
“In the year 2006, police officers throughout the state raised over $240,000. This year’s goal is $250,000,” said Gagnon.
Though the total raised from this year’s event wasn’t available at press time, Gagnon was optimistic the final total would be close.
This year’s fund-raiser had some local assistance, said Hartley.
“Wal-Mart served as a sponsor. We also received assistance during the run from Crown Ambulance, the Presque Isle Fire Department, CarQuest, Hoffses, Bradley’s Citgo and Presque Isle Public works for the safety cones,” said Hartley.
For those interested in supporting Special Olympics, it’s not too late to make a donation.
“If you would like to make a contribution to this most worthy cause, make your check payable to Maine Special Olympics and mail it to: Presque Isle Police Department, 43 North Street, Suite #2, Presque Isle, ME 04769. If you prefer, you can call the PIPD at 764-4476 and an officer will stop by and pick up your check,” said Gagnon.
Prior to the run, members of Maine law enforcement agencies took to the pumps on June 2 and 3, teaming up with Irving Oil to fuel the dreams of Special Olympics’ Maine athletes. For every vehicle fueling up at Irving stations throughout the state on those days, Irving donated five cents for every gallon of gas sold. While officers pumped gas, others washed windows. Over half the Maine Irving Blue Canoe, Mainway and Big Stop locations took part.
Irving has sponsored this Fueling Dreams campaign for six years, with events scheduled in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts, raising nearly one million dollars to benefit Special Olympics.
Special Olympics Maine summer games were held June 8 through June 10 at the University of Maine in Orono. An estimated 1,500 athletes participated.
