Flagler County law enforcement run for Special Olympics Florida in 2024 Torch Run

The funds raised will go toward the Special Olympics Florida competitions.

By Sierra Williams
| 12:00 p.m. May 27, 2024

Brothers Benjamin and Matthew Sowers cross the finish line with Deputy Nick Champion. Photo by Sierra Williams

The participants of the 2024 Special Olympics Florida Torch Run. Photo by Sierra Williams

Sheriff Rick Staly holds the torch as it is lit by Senior Regional Director of Employee Relations Justin Copertino for the Special Olympics Florida Torch Run in Flagler County. Photo by Sierra Williams

Participants cross the starting line in the 2024 Torch Run. Photo by Sierra Williams

Both the Flagler County Kiwanis and the Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis Clubs volunteered their time to cook food for the Torch Run. Pictured the club members and Sheriff Rick Staly. Photo by Sierra Williams

FCSO Cmdr. John Dopp holds the lit torch over the finish line, in step with Deputy Nick Champion and Detective Sierra Held. Photo by Sierra Williams

Anna Carrasquillo carries a Torch Run flag to the finish line. Photo by Sierra Williams

Neveah Carrasquillo hugs her younger cousin Alexandra Garcia as she crosses the finish line. Photo by Sierra Williams

Sheriff Rick Staly awards Athlete Elijah Holloway a medal after the Torch Run. All the Special Olympics Athletes and Torch Run participants received a medal. Photo by Sierra Williams

Brothers Benjamin and Matthew Sowers with their mother Lisa Sowers after the Torch Run. Photo by Sierra Williams

Sheriff Rick Staly holds the lit torch with Athlete Kennet Lefkovic, a Special Olympics Florida Triathlete and Iron Man competitor, and FCSO Cmdr. John Dopp. Photo by Sierra Williams

FCSO Cmdr. John Dopp with the torch. Photo by Sierra Williams

Sheriff Rick Staly with Ken Roop, the director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics Florida, and Special Olympics Florida coach Sharon Holloway. Photo by Sierra Williams

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For the first time in several years, the Flagler County Sheriff's Office has hosted a Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida and the athletes who compete in the games.

Special Olympics Florida athletes and Flagler County Sheriff's Office deputies and staff ran side-by-side for a mile on May 25, starting at the FCSO's Operation Center, around the Emergency Management Center and back to the Operation Center. Shelley Henry, the regional director of Northeast Special Olympics Florida, said Flagler County has around 400 athletes who participate in Special Olympics Florida.

Most of those athletes are from the school system, she said, but Special Olympics Florida is for people with intellectual disabilities of all ages.

"We really want to engage that population of individuals that have aged out of school and are looking for something to get involved in," Henry said.

Henry said Special Olympics Florida is about more than just the sports. It offers resources, health screenings, community and activities for those with intellectual disabilities and their families. Fundraiser's Torch Run is a great way to raise more awareness about all Special Olympics Florida has to offer, she said.

"What's important is the awareness that our athletes and families know that we exist here in Flagler County, we have programs to serve you," Henry said.

Henry, alongside Ken Roop, director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run with Special Olympics Florida, and FCSO's P.A.L. Director Arthur Erlandson put together the Torch Run in Flagler County. Roop said the Torch Run was dropped in Erlandson's lap and he ran with it.

Everyone was eager to get the county's participation, Roop said.

"This county hasn't participated in a few years," he said. "So ... whatever it takes to get this thing started back up in Flagler County— that's what I wanted, that was my goal."

Special Olympics Florida is year-round, Roop said, with training and competitions throughout all four seasons. The Torch Run raises funds for the competitions, allowing to athletes to compete at no cost.

Erlandson was instrumental in organizing the Torch Run with the FCSO, Roop said. But, Erlandson said, it was important to him to showcase Special Olympics Florida and its programs for Flagler County's special needs community.

"There's not a lot that goes on the county for special needs children. And I know that this one has been a big event in the past," he said. "I just think the community is lacking in that area. So we're going to try to get some more programming and things for special needs in the community."