AUBURN - With banners and flags in hand, the group of Genesee Elementary School students waited eagerly outside their building, and as they spotted the first "Flame of Hope" runner coming down Veterans Memorial Parkway, the entire group broke into loud cheers and applause.
Corrections officers Brendan and Ed Epstein, Jack Keiser and Dave DelFavero bring the Special Olympics torch into Auburn on Thursday. The four, along with runners Brian Donahue and Sharlene Ballings, are running across New York in an effort to raise awareness of the games for people with disabilities. Reid Silverman / The Citizen
As the runners approached the school, students greeted them with bottles of water and words of appreciation and encouragement.
The event was part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, a statewide event to raise awareness of the games for people with disabilities. Five runners from Cayuga Correctional Facility carried the flame from Aurelius to Auburn, one segment of the torch's journey across New York state.
"The runners are here to help raise money for children with disabilities," 10-year-old Alexis Erothers said. "Some kids might want to have fun even though they have disabilities, and they should."
The annual run begins in Buffalo and the torch is passed from officer to officer until it reaches Long Island.
Along the way, event participants generate pledges and contributions for Special Olympics to sponsor athletes in training and competitions held annually.
After the runners at the Auburn school had a moment to catch their breath and slap a few high-fives, they joined 12 fourth- and fifth-graders for a lap around the elementary school.
In the past, the school allowed everyone in both grade levels to participate in the run, but that became too complicated, according to physical education teacher Bob Lee. This year, two students from each class were chosen to participate.
"It was fun and a good thing to do," fourth-grader Jessica Wilkes said. "Some people in the world can't run and do this."
The torch run was incorporated into more than just the morning's events.
Fourth-grade teacher Sylvia DelFavero, whose husband, David, is a runner, brought the Special Olympics and the run into her classroom.
Students made posters and researched the event to help gain a better understanding.
"We need to raise awareness for students who have special needs," Sylvia said. "And the kids love being supportive and helpful when they know it is for a cause."
When David took Kaula McLaurin's poster, brightly decorated with a flame and sneakers, she frowned until he told her he would be hanging it up where everyone could see it. The fourth-grader's frown turned to a smile filled with pride.
"This is the best part, stopping to see the kids," David said as he waved to the students and then took off running again.
Staff writer Ashley Lipsky can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235
or ashley.lipsky@lee.net
The event was part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, a statewide event to raise awareness of the games for people with disabilities. Five runners from Cayuga Correctional Facility carried the flame from Aurelius to Auburn, one segment of the torch's journey across New York state.
"The runners are here to help raise money for children with disabilities," 10-year-old Alexis Erothers said. "Some kids might want to have fun even though they have disabilities, and they should."
The annual run begins in Buffalo and the torch is passed from officer to officer until it reaches Long Island.
Along the way, event participants generate pledges and contributions for Special Olympics to sponsor athletes in training and competitions held annually.
After the runners at the Auburn school had a moment to catch their breath and slap a few high-fives, they joined 12 fourth- and fifth-graders for a lap around the elementary school.
In the past, the school allowed everyone in both grade levels to participate in the run, but that became too complicated, according to physical education teacher Bob Lee. This year, two students from each class were chosen to participate.
"It was fun and a good thing to do," fourth-grader Jessica Wilkes said. "Some people in the world can't run and do this."
The torch run was incorporated into more than just the morning's events.
Fourth-grade teacher Sylvia DelFavero, whose husband, David, is a runner, brought the Special Olympics and the run into her classroom.
Students made posters and researched the event to help gain a better understanding.
"We need to raise awareness for students who have special needs," Sylvia said. "And the kids love being supportive and helpful when they know it is for a cause."
When David took Kaula McLaurin's poster, brightly decorated with a flame and sneakers, she frowned until he told her he would be hanging it up where everyone could see it. The fourth-grader's frown turned to a smile filled with pride.
"This is the best part, stopping to see the kids," David said as he waved to the students and then took off running again.
Staff writer Ashley Lipsky can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235
or ashley.lipsky@lee.net
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