To view pictures set to music of 2011 Torch Relay, click here

The Halton leg of the Ontario Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Torch Relay for Special Olympics passed through the region last Friday (June 3, 2011), making an enthusiastic stop at Robert Baldwin Public School in Milton. 
 
There were two opening ceremonies to celebrate the torch run, one at Holy Rosary School in Burlington and Robert Baldwin. In Milton, while being escorted by police during their walk, Special Olympians, students, school and Halton District School Board staff, plus police officers, carried the torch onto the street.

This year’s campaign was unique in Halton, as three individual relays occurred simultaneously, covering Milton, Oakville and Burlington. Spectators and supporters had been encouraged to cheer on the participants along the routes.

Torch relay participants followed their routes and converged on Fothergill Woods Park in Burlington, where the Oakville and Burlington post-relay ceremonies and picnic were hosted. Milton’s post-relay event was hosted at the Halton Regional Police station on Childs Drive in Milton.

“The Torch Relay really ties into our philosophy that everyone has talents and we all are winners if we do our best,” says Julie Armstrong, principal of Robert Baldwin Public School.

The objective of the torch relay – which involves all law enforcement personnel throughout the province – is to raise both funds and awareness for the Ontario Special Olympics. According to the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, Ontario continues to have the world's most successful Torch Relay, with more than $16 million dollars raised since the event’s inception in 1986.

Funds raised are put into community programs and help pay for various expenses including games travel, accommodations, meals, staff support to the field, grants to new community programs, volunteer and athlete training, administration and information/promotional materials and other development initiatives. 

The 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games begin 24 June in Athens, Greece.

For more information about the Torch Relay, visit www.haltonpolice.ca or www.torchrunontario.com.