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Torch Run Stops in Galesburg Ahead of Special Olympics
Galesburg Police officers have a long road ahead of them Thursday. Some officers are running from St. Mary's Square in Galesburg to the Peoria County line to raise money and carry the torch for the Special Olympics.

The torch was delivered to Galesburg Wednesday by officers from the Quad Cities. Moline police officer James Thomas tells WGIL he has been participating in the run for more than 20 years because it is close to his heart.

"I have a nephew who is mentally-challenged," Thomas said. "He's not to the place where he could do Special Olympics; he's more severely-handicapped than that. (But) it's a special charity for us."

St. Mary's Square in Galesburg is sending a number of athletes to the state's Special Olympics competition this weekend. Rebecca Batson is activities director at St. Mary's Square and tells WGIL her athletes look forward to the event all year.

"We had Regionals in Monmouth," Batson said. "I had 19 athletes that went there. 13 of those 19 athletes...are going to State now."

Last year police officers around the state raised more than two million dollars for the Special Olympics, which kick off Friday in Normal.


(A Galesburg Police squad car leads Moline Police officer Wednesday to St. Mary's Square.)


(Moline Police officers run south down Cherry St. en route to St. Mary's Square Wednesday.)


(Moline Police officers rest after making it to St. Mary's Square Wednesday. WGIL News Story and Photos by Emily Ford.)
06 10 10 by Newsroom
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