NORWICH – Saturday at 2 p.m., members of law enforcement along with their friends and family members will embark on the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for the Special Olympics in memory of the late Ed Ulfik III.
The LETR has been held across the country on a yearly basis since 1981. Norwich’s run will be 1.5 miles, beginning at the Norwich Police Department and ending at Evolve Fitness (AIM Fitness) at 6142 State Hwy 12 in Norwich.
Senior Diver of the State Police Troop C and the Southern Tier Regional Direction of the LETR said, “The Torch Runs across the country are held just prior to the Special Olympic Summer Games, which are being held this year at the College of Brockport in Rochester on June 5 and 6.”
In addition to the run itself, there will be a first ever Family Fun Fitness Day.
The run this year is in memory of the late Ed Ulfik.
Edward J. Ulfik III, of Oxford, passed away on March 31, 2014. Ed was a 1st Lieutenant in the Oxford Fire Department and Emergency Squad . He was also a member of the Chenango Ambulance Co. where he was also a lieutenant. He was a former public safety dispatcher for the Chenango County Sheriff's Office. He served the Town of New Berlin Police Department for more than five years and most recently the Village of Oxford Police Department for the past seven years.
“In the unfortunate event of a local officer passing, the LETR will dedicate different legs in memory of that officer,” said Case. “When I decided to add the Family Fitness Fun Day to the Torch Run, I stopped at Evolve Fitness (formerly AIM Fitness) to ask them if we could use their parking lot. It was then that I learned that Ed's family members were actually in the process of buying the gym. I was friends with Ed, and actually went to the Otsego County Law Enforcement Academy with him in 2006 while I worked for the Cooperstown Police Department. When I became a Trooper and was stationed in Norwich, I worked with Ed on a regular basis. I believe it was fate that I stopped and talked with them.”
Case added that along with law enforcement, family, and friends, there will be local Special Olympic athletes both at the run and the event following the run.
Case said the main concept of the LETR is to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics. Participants purchased a shirt in order to run. “All proceeds from the Torch Run shirt sales and the Family Fitness Fun Day go to Special Olympics New York, who in turn pays for all of the athletes throughout the state to compete in competitions,” said Case. “The athletes and their families are not responsible for paying anything to compete.”
Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputy Max Loiselle said the event is very personal to him.
“I see the guys I work with on a daily basis, an amazing group of people all extremely driven to protect their community, their families, and complete strangers,” said Loiselle. “Even at the expense of their own safety.”
Loiselle said, “Events like this show what we are all made of … what makes us tick. This is what it’s all about: helping our children and those that truly need our help. Investing in our youth and raising awareness for organizations like the Special Olympics is an investment in the future of our community. Personally, I know that’s something everyone in law enforcement would put their lives on the line for.”
Family Fitness Fun Day, which is held in the parking lot of Evolve Fitness, will consist of face painting, children’s rides, a dunk tank, bounce house, balloon animals, fitness classes, a strong man demonstration, raffles, a silent auction, a child safety program, static displays, massage chair, chicken barbecue, music, vendors, and fireworks at dark. There will also be a fire truck pull competition, composed of five-person teams with a cost of $20 per person to participate.
According to Eileen Andrews, a local event planner who has helped to coordinate vendors for the event, there will be numerous local vendors, some of which are present at community events such as the Chenango Blues Fest. Andrews said there are still spots for vendors if they would like to participate. She added there will also be a bake sale and many handmade goods.
“The least we can all do is invest our time and show our support, not just on Saturday for the Torch Run, but in everyday life,” said Loiselle. “These aren’t just my thoughts and feelings. These are the traits Ed Ulfik showed me he valued every day and I am honored to call him a friend … a brother. He never took a day off from want to help anyone in need.”
Loiselle added that Ulfik was “larger than life and his heart was even bigger.”
“I could not be more proud to be part of an event honoring Ulfik’s memory and designed to bring awareness and help to those that deserve more than anyone’s pity,” said Loiselle. “They deserve our love, our protection, our time. I truly hope our community comes out to see what my brothers and sisters in blue have to offer and see our true colors, especially in the face of everything going on in our country recently.”
Added Loiselle, “This has been more than an emotional time as anyone who knew Ed, he had some big shoes to fill, and hopefully with all of us pulling our weight, we can get the job done and make a difference.”
“I feel that the Family Fitness Fun Day will help raise awareness for the Special Olympic athletes, while at the same time promoting fitness in the Norwich community,” said Case. “It should be a great time with many different events going on throughout the day. Many different people and businesses have come together to help organize this event. After last year's Torch Run, I wanted people to want to come back. We all know that we do it for a great cause, but I wanted people to have fun at the same time, and look forward to the next year.”