Clinging to the fence at O’Melveny Elementary in San Fernando, school children cheered and chanted, “U.S.A! U.S.A! U.S.A!,” amping up the San Fernando Police Department (SFPD) and city employees as they prepared to carry the “Flame of Hope” through the city for the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
“Being a part of the Special Olympics Torch Run is a true honor,” said acting Sgt. J. Cristobal Robles, who led the team for the second year.
For nearly a decade, SFPD has participated in the annual run to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics of Southern California (SOSC).
“Our city family is always excited about showing our support for the champions of Special Olympics who model courage, perseverance, and overcome challenges every day as persons with disabilities,” said SFPD Chief Fabian Valdez.
Team San Fernando, which includes city police and employees, LA school police, Department of Motor Vehicles Investigators and members of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverages, carried the “Flame of Hope” Torch – described as symbolizing courage, diversity, inclusion and respect for all – along a 2.5-mile route through the streets of San Fernando on Wednesday, June 5.
“The Torch Run is the awareness piece that tells everybody that summer games are coming to town,” said Luke Farnell, Senior Director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run SOSC.
The flame will be used to light the cauldron at the SOSC Summer Games, taking place June 8 and 9 at California State University, Long Beach.
The Flame of Hope Makes Its Way Through San Fernando
“There are several families in the City of San Fernando, who are participants of the Special Olympics,” said Farnell. “So it means something to them, and they represent their area with pride.”
Gerardo De La Cerda – a runner, basketball, soccer and bocce ball player – is one of those Olympians, and has been participating in the torch run for over 20 years.
He was given the honor of receiving the flame this year from the LAPD Mission Division at O’Melveny Elementary and helped carry it through the city.
“The torch represents hope, determination and motivation,” said De La Cerda.
“I’m very grateful to the officers, to the parents, that support the Special Olympics. It means a lot to me because the Special Olympics has impacted my life ever since I was five years old,” he said, adding that he’s felt supported and accepted by the community.
“He’s developed into such a beautiful human being,” said his mother, Terri De La Cerda.
“Special Olympics has allowed them to have confidence in their abilities as athletes [and] as human beings,” she added. “It’s pole-vaulted him into his own self-worth.”
With spectators cheering them on along the way, Team San Fernando ran through the city – down San Fernando Mission Boulevard and Brand Boulevard, taking a U-turn on Fourth Street, back up Maclay Avenue, with a detour to City Hall and the police station, before running on San Fernando Road and ending at Rydell Dealership, where they passed the torch off to LAPD Foothill Division.
Leaders in Southern California’s Fundraising Efforts
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an international campaign and fundraiser, with 100% of proceeds raised to provide equipment, uniforms, programs and training for the athletes.
Irwin Rosenberg, Southern California director for the Law Enforcement Torch Run SOSC and SFPD commander, said the event helps make it possible for athletes to participate in the Special Olympics programs at no cost to them or their families.
“Law enforcement is the biggest, worldwide donor to Special Olympics,” said Rosenberg, adding that since the run started in 1981, “law enforcement has raised over $1 billion for the Special Olympics.”
SOSC is one of the largest participating programs in the world, with over 1,200 officers from over 220 law enforcement agencies.
“In Southern California last year, we raised $1.75 million for Special Olympics,” said Rosenberg. “San Fernando, even though we’re small as a police department, has been big in heart, and has been one of the leading fundraisers for the torch run.”
This year SFPD has already raised over $6,400, making them one of the top two fundraising teams in all of Southern California.
Farnell believes that although the torch run is designed to raise money and awareness for Special Olympic athletes, it has also become impactful for the officers and, “gives them an outlet to be a human, to feel loved by the community [and] to feel appreciated by our athletes and their families.”
“It’s fantastic to be a part of this,” reiterated Rosenberg. “It gives you purpose.”
To make donations to Team San Fernando, visit: http://fundraising.sosc.org/goto/sanfernandopd24
For more information visit: https://sosc.org/letr/