Hope College Campus Safety to host 2nd Torch Run

Sept. 04--Hope College Campus Safety will host the department's second annual Torch Run on Wednesday, Sept. 12.

The event is being held as part of the national Law Enforcement Torch Run campaign, which was established on behalf of the Special Olympics in 1981 in Kansas.

Grass roots programs take place around the world, including community runs such as the Sept. 12 Holland/Hope event, long-distance relays that might span hundreds of miles, a variety of other awareness-building and fund-raising efforts, and connecting with Special Olympics initiatives such as the Summer and Winter Games.

About 20 people participated in the first Holland/Hope Torch Run, traveling from DeVos Fieldhouse west on 10th Street to College Avenue and then College Avenue to 13th Street to the football stadium.

"We are encouraging anyone and everyone to come out and help raise money for this cause, even if they can only make a $5 donation," said Jeff Vander Kooy, a Campus Safety officer at Hope College who is organizing the event with fellow campus safety officer Scott Evans. "Any money raised will go 100 percent to Special Olympics Michigan."

This year's 2.6-mile run will begin at 10 a.m., and will start and finish at DeVos Fieldhouse, 222 Fairbanks Ave. While it is called a "run", participants travel at pace that allows everyone to stay together.

Registration is $25, and those who are interested in participating may register and learn more at firstgiving.com/miletr/holland18. Registration will also take place on-site beginning at 9 a.m. on Sept. 12. Registration includes a T-shirt, although a limited number of shirts will be available during on-site registration.

Registered participants will have an opportunity to win prizes including gift cards for Biggby Coffee, Gazelle Sports and Subway; merchandise from the Hope College Bookstore; season passes for Hope games (excluding the Hope-Calvin men's basketball game) and a free night's stay at the college's Haworth Inn and Conference Center. Hope College's football team is also donating football T-shirts to any Special Olympics athlete that participates.

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