Off-duty police officers from Lakewood, Howell and Jackson this morning kicked off the New Jersey Law Enforcement Torch Run – joined and cheered on by students, staff and counsel of the Lakewood Public Schools.

The Torch Run, which began in 1981, raises awareness and funds for the Special Olympics.

Officers from many municipalities take part each year in the event in which officers run for several miles before passing on the torch to the next town and ultimately reaching Trenton.

The event kicked off from the Gourmet Glatt plaza at about 9 AM, and made its way down Clifton Avenue, down Route 88 and up Route 9 to the border of Howell, where Howell Officers then took over the torch to carry it on to the next Township. There are approximately 20 legs to the event, and involves numerous municipalities throughout the State.

“In Lakewood, learning is more than just a classroom – it’s an experience we generalize beyond the school day like the Special Olympics torch run of today,” said Board of Education General Counsell Michael Inzelbuch. “It provides kids with a sense of community, socialization experience, and informal learning.”