The Scoop - June 19, 2017

Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers ran a 7.2 mile route through the city during Lima's first Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, ending up on Town Square just prior to Monday's Rotary meeting. After cheering the athletes as they came through the square, we invited all participants to join us for lunch. Coordinator Dan Van Vorhis told us that the torch run has been going on for 31 years, and the impetus to bring it to Lima was the idea of Lima Police officer Katy Weidman who has been participating in Findlay's run for the past few years. "The run has two goals: to raise money and awareness. Last year the Ohio Torch Run raised $538,000 for Special Olympics." The Lima run raised $4,000, and officers Weidman and Hile presented the check to Van Vorhis at our meeting. All athletes were presented with Rotary coins during the meeting. The torch will wind up at Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on Friday for the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics which are this weekend. We wish all athletes the best of luck! Thanks to Vince Koza for emceeing our meeting.

Also Monday, Rachel Staley gave us an update on the Rotary Field of Dreams at UNOH. The field is laid and work is currently being done on the fencing and bleachers. They expect to throw out the first pitch in August.