Crime & Safety

Twinsburg Police Carry the Torch for Special Olympics

Two members of the Twinsburg Police Department will take part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics tomorrow

The quest to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics has been ongoing for many years now, and it’s the Twinsburg Police Department’s turn to carry the torch. Literally.

At 11:44 a.m. today, the torch from the Law Enforcement Torch Run will be handed off from Solon to Twinsburg, on its long journey from Cleveland to Columbus.

The fundraising event is a three-day journey to raise money for the Special Olympics. There are six routes across the state and this year, 2,000 officers from 150 communities will be participating by either running or biking.

Lt. Robert Gonsiewski said Lt. Michael Nakata and he will represent Twinsburg on their bikes, so they can keep things running smoothly.

“It just helps them catch up,” Gonsiewski said. “They like it that we use bicycles.”

The torch won’t be carried by the two officers riding (it can be pretty hard to control a bike and carry a torch at the same time), but it will be carried by police Chief Christopher Noga in a van that trails the officers on the path to Hudson.

The Twinsburg Police Association will make a $50 donation to the Special Olympics for the fundraiser.

“It’s just nice to be able to support the athletes and it’s a good cause,” Gonsiewski said.

Gonsiewski said they have been involved in this program for several years. Last year they were unable to take part because the event was the same day as proceedings in the Ashford Thompson trial. Thomspon was convicted of killing officer Joshua Miktarian in 2008.


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