tion and forcing the cancellation of Dream Ride. Dream Ride & Dream Cruise is a weekend to celebrate the achievements of Special Olympics athletes. As Connecticut State Police, local Police Departments and emergency personnel from all over the Northeast geared up for Dream Ride, preparations were under way, permits and road closure signs were in place and the Dream Ride’s GPS tracking devices were turned on, as organizers monitored their journeys both domestically and internationally. The Montreal Police Department and its Law Enforcement Torch Run liaisons led the international riders over the Canadian/U.S. border.
T 10 THE MOTOR OFFICER™ | FALL 2012
he sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky, the engines roaring as kick-stands went up in Farmington, CT, for the Annual Dream Ride to benefit Special Olympics. This year’s event raised $310,000 and crossed international borders for the first time ever! Last year Hurricane Irene swirled through the Northeast leaving devasta-
From left: Mary Jack, Montreal Police Dept., Kristy Fisher, Special Olympics athlete, Marc Ratte Montreal Police Dept.
This event is Special Olympics’ largest grass-roots fund-
raiser and public awareness campaign. Annually, more than 85,000 volunteer law enforcement officers carry the Flame of Hope™ alongside Special Olympics athletes into the Opening Ceremonies of the local competitions and State, National and World Games. The Torch Run reaches 40 nations, 13 Canadian provinces and all 50 United States, and raises millions for local Special Olympics programs. The official sponsors, Michael Bozzuto, President & CEO
of Bozzuto’s Inc., and The Hometown Foundation, Inc., have helped make dreams come true for over a decade. The Dream Ride festivities have helped to raise over $1,695,000 in the past twelve years. We are extremely proud to have motorcycle and car enthusiasts from two countries and eight states gather together to commemorate the achievements of individuals living with intellectual disabilities in our communities.
SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.DREAMRIDE.ORG.