A scene from the 2024 Pembroke/Petawawa Law Enforcement Torch Run
The Renfrew and Arnprior OPP are excited for their turn to hit the streets for a worthy cause later this month.
Local Constable Brianna Babin says the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run rolls through both communities on September 26th, completing a two-leg run through the Ottawa Valley that saw her counterparts in Pembroke and Petawawa bring in around $4,500 for local Special Olympics initiatives just last week.
Babin has been an active part of the cause in the past, including attending the Pembroke run hosted by the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP on September 11th and the run in Ottawa the very next day.
She’s excited for the chance to share the excitement of the largest public awareness and grassroots fundraising campaign supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities with her own community after COVID-19 and wildfire smoke forced the OPP to cancel their plans in recent years.
The local leg of the torch run gets underway outside Renfrew Town Hall at 10:00 a.m. on September 26th, heading towards the OPP detachment on O’Brien Road, where they will host a barbeque and a game of basketball between officers and community members.
Officers will then make the trip to Arnprior, gathering at the old LCBO building at 10 William Street West at around 2:00 p.m. before rolling out towards the Tim Hortons on Masawaska Boulevard for some celebratory treats.
Babin says runners and volunteers are always welcome, but taking part can be as simple as making a donation.
Auxiliary Officers will be monitoring the event from the front and back of the pack, and traffic passing through either route is asked to mind the group taking part as they complete their trek.
(written by Kasey Egan)