Cook County law enforcement and youths take part in Special Olympics Torch Run

The North Shore welcomed the Flame of Hope Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics on June 19 and 20.

Cook County welcomed our northern neighbors on June 19 as the Torch crossed international lines at the Pigeon River/Grand Portage Port of Entry. Leading the way into Cook County was Sheriff Pat Eliasen, Special Olympian Dave Lane and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Port Director Craig Kalar.

Law enforcement officials from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and more carried the Flame of Hope from the Canadian border to Grand Marais. The Torch Run passed through the city of Grand Marais at around 4 p.m. on June 19 and finished the trek to the Cook/Lake county line on June 20. 

Also taking part in the Flame of Hope event was the Cook County Schools Special Olympics Unified Club.

School District 166 Special Education Teacher Melissa Oberg and School Counselor Kris Hoffman are the adult coordinators of the Unified Club. They accompanied Unified Club members, ranging from kindergarten to high school seniors to the U.S. Canadian border for the ceremony there. The group was also at the Special Olympics torch hand-off in Grand Marais. 

In Grand Marais, Sheriff Eliasen handed the torch off to Cook County Assistant County Attorney Jeanne Monson, who dashed up the hill out of Grand Marais on the next leg of the torch’s journey. 

As we waited for the Special Olympics torch to arrive, WTIP's Rhonda Silence had the chance to visit with some members of the Unified Club. 

Photos by Rhonda Silence/Valerie Marasco, Cook County