CLAY COUNTY – Clay County’s Special Olympics program was designated as one of the Top 10 in Florida during the recent Central Florida Kickoff event in Orlando.

"Clay County recently placed in the Top 10 for fundraising out of the entire state for Florida Special Olympics," said Clay County Sheriff’s Office’s Sgt. Zachary Cox.

Fundraising efforts were made possible by members of the CCSO and the Orange Park and Green Cove Springs police departments. The Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics is one of the largest grassroots fundraisers. At its most basic level, the torch run is a race where law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes run the "Flame of Hope" into the opening ceremonies for the 2022 Special Olympics.

"The state does fundraising too, and then the fundraising they do is divided by the counties. Everyone contributes," said Clay County Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run Coordinator Marsha Skiles.

The funds help support people with intellectual disabilities by offering them a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and talents through sports training and competition and increase the public's awareness of their capabilities and needs. Funds cover everything from transportation, meals, uniforms and lodging for games and matches.

"We had one athlete. She was so excited to leave Orange Park and stay in a hotel. She'd never left home before, and these are the experiences we can give these athletes," Skiles said.

It's not just about competing. It's a chance to offer these athletes new experiences and provide new opportunities to forge their path to greatness.

"To be able to do that warms your heart, and you feel the excitement for those athletes. They might not have gotten the opportunity otherwise," Cox said. "I think it's important for our agency and all law enforcement, in general, to know the impact that we can have for Special Olympics."

According to Cox, law enforcement officers have been raising awareness and funds for Special Olympics for more than 35 years. Known as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the "Flame of Hope" into Opening Ceremonies of local competitions, eventually coming together at the State championship in Orlando.

Today, more than 97,000 law enforcement members carry the "Flame of Hope" annually, symbolizing courage and the celebration of diversity uniting communities around the globe. However, it's more than a symbolic gesture, Cox said. Each step is a chance to "light" the way for millions of intellectually challenged athletes and shed light on the games' powerful message of inclusion and togetherness. The Flame of Hope is something we all carry, Cox said, a spark to do good in our community wherever we go.

"It's all about inclusion. You don't understand the impact unless you see it from a parent's point of view when you want your child to have the same opportunity to play sports as any other child. They just want to participate and play like everyone else. And this is their opportunity to do that," he said.

He also attends the annual award ceremony at Walt Disney World. Being able to give an athlete their first medal, he said, is the most rewarding experience of his career.

"One athlete, in particular, received a first-place medal, student age, and when he was on stage, he just broke down in tears. He was so excited. I don't know if that was the first award he had ever received, but he was just so excited," he said. "It's a bigger picture. It's not what we get out of it. It's not about us at all. It's about being able to help these kids live their best life."

Skiles agrees it can be a life-altering opportunity for athletes.

"Over the last 20 years, we have moved from doing athletic events to include events where athletes with intellectually developmental challenges can compete alongside athletes without those disabilities," she said. "I am a softball coach. We are a unified team. We are a blend of 10 players on the field – five with disabilities and five that don't. We have been solid since the beginning. They're like a family. They do things outside the season of softball together. They look forward to being together. It doesn't just show their skills- it promotes inclusion."

The games also help athletes learn valuable life skills.

"It helps them learn how to work as a team. They have to follow the same rules and directions, even if they don't want to, you know. We have a few who have emotional disorders, so being able to apply what they learn on the field to other aspects of their life is tremendous. I have seen such growth for our athletes," Skiles said.

This year, the Law Enforcement Torch run will be open to the community.

"You don't have to be in law enforcement to join us. It's a movement to make people aware of what the Special Olympics is, their mission, and what we stand for," said Cox.

ll you need to participate is a Special Olympics Shirt. Cotton T-shirts are $20 and women's tank tops are $25.

To purchase a shirt, call Cox at (904) 445-0521. You can also visit specialolympicsflorida.org to learn more about competitions and events.

Also, look out for Tip a Cop, the county's largest fundraiser for the Special Olympics from March 7-9 at Texas Roadhouse, 550 Blanding Blvd., in Orange Park.