Freehold Police Pass the Torch for Special Olympics of New Jersey

Freehold police will take to the streets and run a "mini PT test" for a very special cause.

On June 8, the Freehold Borough and Freehold Township Police Departments will pass the torch as they run down Route 9 and through the borough for the 29th Annual Special Olympics Torch Run.

The statewide run kicks off a weekend of Special Olympics games, held at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. Over 3,000 law enforcement officers will run throughout New Jersey, to raise money for special needs children to attend the games free of charge.

Sergant Ronnie Steppat helps organize the run for the. He says running the “mini PT test” each year is a great way to contribute to an amazing cause.

“For these kids, it is the highlight of their day to have a volunteer hug them at the end of their race,” said Sgt. Steppat. “So, as crazy as my job is, I can take the time to run 2.2 miles for them.”

The Freehold departments participate in the Rt. 9 Corridor torch run. Both departments have been participating since 1984.

Detective Todd Smith organizes the run for the Township Department and is also a member of the event board. He says the partnership of New Jersey Police and the Special Olympics is a natural fit.

“Taking care of people, that is what our job as police officers is all about. This is just another way to help people who need us,” said Smith. “That is why we adopted the organization and they adopted us.”

The Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ) provides year-round sports training and athletic competition to more than 22,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

The torch run helps to fund the Summer Special Olympics through sponsorships.

“We’re the only police organization in the world to do something like this,” said Smith. According to Smith, New Jersey is the only state where all expenses are covered for the Special Olympic athletes and their families.

Sponsorships are not based on a pledge system, rather a set amount which offers each business an incentive based on a tiered system. Businesses, schools and organizations can "adopt a cop" and collect businesses on behalf of an officer.

Funds raised will pay for more than 22,000 children to compete in the New Jersey Special Olympics games, and conduct programs year-round, free of charge.

Sponsorship information can be found at the Special Olympics Torch Run website.

In addition to over 25 Freehold police officers, Special Education students from Freehold Township High School are invited to run with police on Friday morning.

If you would like to support the runners, head to the between 10:30-11:30 a.m. to see the Freehold hand-off and take a small break for a photo-op.