First Hawaiian Bank Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run History

What is the First Hawaiian Bank Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run?

The mission of the First Hawaiian Bank Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run is to raise funds for and awareness of the Special Olympics movement. Special Olympics is a program that daily reaffirms our beliefs that with hope, love and dedication we can see achievement and self-worth realized by an individual. It is our belief that persons with intellectual disabilities, by their involvement in Special Olympics, show the community at large the true meaning of sport and a pure joy towards life.

To further the Special Olympics philosophy, law enforcement will carry the torch, representing the flame of hope, and dedicate itself to the goals of continually increasing awareness and funds for Special Olympic athletes.

The History: The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, the largest grass roots fundraising program which benefits Special Olympics, began in 1981 when Witchita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to raise funds for and increase awareness of Special Olympics. He conceived the idea of the Torch Run as a way to involve the local law enforcement with their communities and Special Olympics, by running the torch in intrastate relays that converge at their local Summer Games.

Today: Now a global event, all 50 states and over 47 countries participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, generating over $34,000,000 annually.

Hawaii: Hawaii's participation in the Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1986 with 20 officers who carried the "Flame of Hope" from the State Capitol to the State Summer Games. Special Olympics Hawaii provided them with misprinted t-shirts that simply said "Law Enforcement Torch Run" and we lost $200 on the event. Since then, we have learned how to spell and succeeded in raising nearly a half a million dollars. In 1987 the Torch Run was named after Troy Barboza, who was killed in the line of duty. Troy was a dedicated coach for Special Olympics Hawaii who rarely missed a practice. Now in Hawaii, over 2,500 law enforcement personnel from federal, military, state, county and local agencies participate in the First Hawaiian Bank Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run throughout the state with legs on Kauai, Maui, Hawaii, and Oahu.

Last year we succeeded in raising over $450,000 and this year we will continue to exceed this growth. Since the inception of the Torch Run, Law Enforcement officers have raised $4.3 million in Hawaii.  Worldwide in 2010, they raised $37 million for Special Olympics programs.

Hawaii's Torch Run "Ohana" has also had three of its leaders inducted into the International Chief Richard LaMunyon Law Enforcement Torch Run Hall of Fame, Captain Paul Epstein, SOHI's Executive Director Nancy Bottelo, and Captain Kurt Kendro, for going above and beyond the normal call of duty in order to make this event a success. In addition, in 2004 Honolulu Police Officer Robert Steiner received the John Carion Unsung Hero for his dedication to the Hawaii Torch Run movement.

How is the Law Enforcement Torch Run Organized?

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is more than just a run! It is a year round fund-raising organization that culminates at the State Summer Games on Memorial Day weekend with the Final Leg running into the Opening Ceremonies at the University of Hawaii. The Law Enforcement Torch Run Hawaii State Executive Council work together to support the Leg Leaders which represent each island involved. Many different agencies report to the Leg Leaders in order to place T-shirt orders. Each Leg Leader determines their running routes according to the needs of each island. (Please see Organizational Structure section for more information).

Joining the Committee: The Law Enforcement Torch Run Hawaii State Executive Council is always looking for new members! If you are interested or know of someone who is interested in taking a more active role in the Torch Run or Torch Run Special Events please contact Melissa Blake at 392-1588.

The Run Itself: There are separate Torch Runs on each island, which usually culminate at that island’s summer competitions. Torch runners are invited to participate in local legs and/or the Final Leg, which ends with a celebration at the Opening Ceremonies of the State Summer Games. Contact your Leg Leader to find out routes and start times.

Special Events: The Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run is "more than just a run". It serves as an umbrella to various fundraising activities. Those activities will include...

• T-Shirt Sales
• "Tip-A-Cop"
• "Fueling Dreams"
• Sponsorships
• "Cop-On-Top"
• Individual Donations

So there are many opportunities for the "non-runners" as well. However, those activities listed above are not all. Any agency can be as creative as they want in organizing activities to raise funds for the Torch Run as long as they coordinate it with the Torch Run Liaison, Melissa Blake. If you are a new agency, you can start with simple activities such as T-shirt Sales or "Tip-A-Cop".

Why Get Involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run?

The love in a hug. The sweat of courage. The tears of joy and disappointment. No one knows these feelings better than Special Olympics athletes and volunteers. The athletes of Special Olympics have a unique view of winning. To them, a ribbon earned simply for participation may mean as much as a gold medal. Special Olympics Hawaii helps adults and children with intellectual disabilities discover their potential. Participating in year round sports competition helps these athletes to gain real world skills that benefit them at home, in school and the work place. In Hawaii, there are almost 2,000 athletes state-wide who compete in 10 sports.

Special Olympics Hawaii receives no funding from the federal government, the Kennedy Foundation or the Aloha United Way. All money raised in Hawaii stays here to continue the mission of providing year round sports training and competition to our athletes with intellectual disabilities.

And if that’s not reason enough...

• The Torch Run provides an opportunity for the law enforcement personnel to have direct contact with Special Olympic athletes.
• The Torch Run helps Special Olympics build relationships with the community.
• Expenses are low.
• The Torch Run helps to increase awareness of Special Olympics Hawaii.
• The Torch Run outreaches to potential volunteers, coaches and athletes.
• The Torch Run is a major initiative of Special Olympics Hawaii.
• The Torch Run provides a positive image of law enforcement personnel to the community.