The Special Olympics torch has arrived in Emporia.
Local law enforcement escorted the torch from the Lyon Coffey County line Wednesday afternoon to downtown Emporia as part of the annual law enforcement torch run. Among the contingent of law enforcement was Emporia Police Sgt. Dominic Vortherms.
Vortherms says for him, the best part of the torch run is the interactions with local Special Olympians.
The torch will now remain in Emporia until Thursday morning when local law enforcement takes off for El Dorado. Law enforcement will hand the torch off to Butler County law enforcement and from there it will make it’s way to Wichita for the Special Olympics Kansas summer games that are taking place Friday through Sunday for the first time since 2019.
Also taking off tomorrow morning will be Ron’s Ride, KVOE Station Manager Ron Thomas’s annual fundraising ride which will span 6.5 miles to the Emporia Golf Course. Donations are still being accepted for Ron’s Ride which has managed to raise nearly $30,000 since it’s inception.
The riders will leave from Emporia State University at 9 am Thursday and make the now traditional stop at Hetlinger Developmental Services before continuing out of town.
If you would like to donate to Ron’s Ride you can send checks or cash to Ron Thomas PO Box 968, Emporia, KS 66801, text Ron at 620-344-1402 with your name and donation amount or click here.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE NewsÂ
