Special Olympics torch run passes through Vernon

Vernon — It was 6:15 a.m. and Vernon’s Police, as well as a team of supporters, were ready to do their part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, beginning at Mountain Creek. During the event, held Friday, June 10, the Vernon Township Police Department, along with other police agencies in the state, was helping to raise money to support the Special Olympics New Jersey. The torch run, sponsored by law enforcement officers, involves a series of relays that start at several locations all over the state. The torch is passed from police department to police department and eventually ends up at the College of New Jersey in Trenton for the opening ceremonies for the New Jersey Summer Special Olympics. At the Vernon branch, six local Special Olympians from the Vernon Express Team, ran a portion of the run, which proceeded south on Route 94. Once the run entered Hardyston Township, runners from Hardyston Police joined the Vernon Police runners, who then continued south to the intersection of Route 94 and Route 23, where they met with the runners who had started in Wantage on Route 23. The run then continued south on Route 23, and the torch was passed through each jurisdiction until it reached Trenton. A fundraiser Vernon’s police collected donations of just over $2,500 for the Special Olympics New Jersey, including contributions from the following: Mountain Creek, Vernon Township School faculty, Vernon Township public employees, H&H Auto Supply, Aspen Environmental, McAfee Hardware, Vernon Dunkin Donuts, GRM Automotive and “Friends from Highland Lakes.” Run participants included members from: Vernon Police, Vernon School District, Vernon Township employees, Sussex County College Criminal Justice Program, West Point Military Academy, Sussex County Sheriff’s Dept., and various family members from these agencies.