The Haliburton Red Wolves showed their fire is still burning strong through the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics July 20.
Haliburton Highlands OPP and red wolves team members paraded through Haliburton, Kinmount and Minden as part of the national campaign, raising funds and awareness for the local Special Olympics.
“The day was very fantastic. Very good people who always support,” athlete Trevor Bauer said. “It’s a great opportunity for them to come out.”
Team members carried “the flame of hope” throughout the parade, symbolizing courage and a celebration of diversity, according to the run’s website.
“Anybody that partners is blazing the way to help (people) be included,” Red Wolves bowling coach Rick West said.
Const. John Fountain said it was wonderful to support a great cause.
“It’s good to give back to the community,” Fountain said. “We had a great time, we collected lots of money for the event planning they’re doing. It was a good turnout.”
The Red Wolves had plenty to celebrate and fundraise for at this year’s run. The group’s bowling team – composed of Casey Healey, Kim Buie, Andrew Bourgeois, Marianne Stammers and Lucas Anderson – won gold in their division at the provincial 5-pin bowling championships June 6-7.
They earned a chance to play at nationals in Thunder Bay next February.
“All they want to do is practise,” West said. “We practise really hard and on the day of … everybody just took turns bowling really well.”
Now, the group is raising money for the trip. But West said he has little doubt they will be able to, given they were successful when the team last went to nationals in Prince Edward Island in 2018.
“This area is fantastic for giving,” West said.
He added it is meaningful for the athletes to compete and be successful.
“It’s the best,” West said. “It’s just seeing them with a smile on their face, it makes everything worthwhile … when they’re successful at it, they just want to do the best they can.”
