Law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes are pictured before participating in the two-mile Marquette Law Enforcement Torch Run Tuesday evening, which began at the Superior Dome. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics in the world with fundraisers in every state and 35 countries. The Special Olympics help athletes gain valuable life and social skills, said Upper Peninsula team captain, Carla White. The events are an opportunity “to come out and actually meet some of the athletes that participate in Special Olympics because some people, they don't know what Special Olympics does and it’s life changing for a lot of our athletes,” White said. “The more money we raise, the more athletes we can send to winter games, summer games… Special Olympics does not charge the family. The family does not pay for anything, so the more money we can raise for these guys to come out and compete in sports and do things that they love to do, that’s what we’re trying to do.” Tuesday’s race ended at Marquette Senior High School where a unified flag football game between law enforcement and Special Olympic athletes took place. The U.P. team has held races in Munising, Iron Mountain, Wakefield and the Sault Ste. Marie and continued the events Wednesday in Escanaba, finishing in Manistique. The team has raised roughly $5,000 so far this week. Between all the teams, law enforcement hopes to raise $80,000 from registration fees and donations. For those who would like to donate to the cause, visit www.somi.org. (Journal photo by Trinity Carey)