FLEMING ISLAND – Clay County’s delegation of Special Olympic athletes will go to the Florida State Games later this month with financial support and encouragement following Friday’s Law …
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FLEMING ISLAND – Clay County’s delegation of Special Olympic athletes will go to the Florida State Games later this month with financial support and encouragement following Friday’s Law Enforcement Torch Run.
The annual event, the third leg of the county’s fundraising campaign to support its Special Olympics team, traversed through Fleming Island and was warmly received by hundreds who lined the 2.3-mile route along the Black Creek Bike Trail on U.S. Highway 17, Village Square Parkway, Town Center Boulevard, Old Hard Road and into the Plantation Sports Complex.
“Successful, it was 100% successful,” said event coordinator Clay County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Zachary Cox. “I think we always want participation to be bigger than last year, and it was, which is great.
“We always try to get the community involved. I think communication from Clay Today, social media and getting the word out there in the community and getting them involved made a difference.”
The run wasn’t limited to members of law enforcement. Anyone who purchased a T-shirt and signed a waiver could participate, Cox said. Money raised at the run was added with Tip-A-Cop fundraisers at Longhorn Steakhouse on Fleming Island last fall and at Texas Roadhouse last month. Funds will be used to support the county’s athletes at the state games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World on May 16-17.
“If anybody in the community wants to donate to Clay County Special Olympics, they can reach out to me directly and I can instruct them on the donation instructions,” Cox said. “All that goes to our Clay County athletes, not the state.”
Cox said residents can still purchase Special Olympics merchandise by contacting him at (904) 213-6634 or zcox@claysheriff.com.
“This could not be possible without our sponsors like Walker Footings in Green Cove Springs, Black Rifle Coffee, Island Squeeze Lemonade, Walmart, Publix – so all these sponsors and vendors help us out every year and none of that could be possible without them,” Cox said. “I'm just one man; I'm one guy. But it takes a village and a team, and I have a great team that helps me with this every year.”
