December 15, 2008

By raising more than $79,000, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department was the top law enforcement contributor to Special Olympics of North Carolina (SONC) in 2008. Participating agencies contributed $1,115,926 to benefit North Carolina's 38,000 Special Olympic athletes and thier families. This was the second year in a row that CMPD was the top fundraiser.

Under the banner of the North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, CMPD sponsors a varitey of events to raise funds. The Torch Run Relay, first organized in 1987, is held in May. Mecklenburg County law enforcement officers and personel carry the Flame of Hope from the Square in Uptown Charlotte to the Mecklenburg County line, one leg of the 15-day relay that ends in Raleigh at the start of the summer games.

Other events include a popular golf tournament in August, Cop on Top "roof sits" at six area Chick-fil-A restaurants in May, a race festival in late March or early April and a Truck Convoy in September with scores of 18-wheelers.

CMPD Major John Diggs, whose involvement in SONC began in 1998, is the local coordinator. "We have a lot of fun while we're raising funds for and awareness of this most worthwhile program. My involvement in Special Olympics is a high light on my police career.

Special Olympics is the official charity of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police. For further information contact,  Major John Diggs at jdiggs@vcmpd.org or 704.336.8294