Hickory Police is part of the fourth leg of the North Carolina Special Olympics Torch Run that carries the "Flame of Hope." On May 12, the Torch Run begins in Asheville and will end in Statesville. 

HPD's portion of the Torch Run begins at 12:30 p.m. in front of the Floyd W. Lucas, Jr. Police Headquarters, located at 347 2^nd Avenue, SW.  HPD's leg of the run will go east on 2^nd Avenue, SW and continue until it turns into Tate Boulevard.  When HPD officers get to the intersection of Tate Boulevard and Fairgrove Church Road, the "Flame of Hope," will be handed off to Newton, Conover and Catawba County Sherriff Department officers. 

"The Torch Run is one of the many Special Olympics North Carolina events that Hickory Police officers enjoy participating in," said Hickory Police Department Captain Thurman Whisnant.  "We hope that citizens will cheer for us as we run about five miles through Hickory and anyone with a Special Olympics North Carolina shirt is welcome to run with us."

Special Olympics North Carolina is the official charity of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police. For almost 20 years the Hickory Police Department has teamed up with Special Olympics North Carolina with fundraising events to help provide opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and give them a chance to become useful and productive citizens who are accepted and respected in their communities.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

The annual Hickory Police Department Polar Plunge in February raised more than $10,000, and the annual Hickory Police Department Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, May 9. North Carolina Special Olympics shirts and hats are for sale and can be purchased at the Floyd W. Lucas, Jr. Police Headquarters Cotton T-shirts are $13, dry fit shirts are $20, and hats are $15. 

Hickory Police Department raised about $25,000 last year for North Carolina Special Olympics and hopes to exceed that amount this year. 

For more information about playing in the upcoming golf tournament or how to purchase shirts and hats, call (828) 261-2600.

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