Galesburg police, 911 dispatchers and their families will be at the North Henderson Street McDonald’s today collecting donations as part of this year’s Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Officers will be on site from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., another department will carry the Flame of Hope to the Galesburg Police Department who will run the torch to the Public Safety Building.
Police Sgt. Steffanie Cromien tells WGIL the Galesburg Police Department hopes to raise more than $5,000.
“We just appreciate everyone’s support,” she says. “Come out and at least say high or, if they can make a small donation, that would be great because all the money that we raise does go to Special Olympics. we don’t keep any of it.”
She says the GPD raised between $6,000 and $7,000 last year. They have a goal of $15,000 — the threshold for getting the department listed as a sponsor on the Special Olympics T-shirt.
Cromien adds that while donations are greatly appreciated, there’s no obligation to give.
“If people want to donate, they do, and if they don’t, we understand. It’s free will,” she says.
The Special Olympics Illinois website says the Law Enforcement Torch Run is the organization’s largest year-round fundraiser. About 3,000 officers, including local police, correctional officers and FBI agents, will carry the torch nearly 1,500 miles.
At 7 a.m. tomorrow, Galesburg police will be joined by Henry Hill corrections officers, Galesburg High School varsity baseball assistant coaches and a player when they run the torch the 30 miles from the PSB to the Peoria County line.
