On June 3, 2005, about 9:30 a.m., the Hasbrouck Heights Police Department accepted the "Special Olympics" torch from the Lodi Police. Several members of the HHPD carried the "Torch" to a brief ceremony held at Shop-Rite, then proceeded up Williams and along The Boulevard past the Circle. The torch was then presented to the Wood-Ridge Police Department near the border. The HHPD run was about 2.4 miles. The HHPD was part of the hundreds of NJ police officers in 18 separate legs as part of the 22nd Annual Torch Run. Every police department in New Jersey participated. The runs concluded at Rutgers Stadium at 7:00 p.m. that evening. Last year $1.6 million was raised for state athletes with mental retardation and 100% of all the funds raised goes to the Special Olympics Because of this fund-raising Law Enforcement Torch Run, New Jersey is one of the few states where Special Olympic athletes do not have to pay to participate. The games opened Friday night at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, and continued through Sunday. About 2,500 athletes were expected to compete in eight sports. The HHPD generated the second largest contribution in the state for the Special Olympics of about $25,000 -- from combined efforts including school children fundraisers, beefsteak dinner, donations, etc. This Torch Run has become the largest fundraiser and public awareness for Special Olympics in the world, raising over $14 million dollars. ###
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