A torch run through town and a special event at Depot Park Tuesday will honor Whitefish Special Olympics athletes and the law enforcement officers who support them.

Mark Kuhr said the goal of the event is to introduce the Whitefish Thunder adult Special Olympics team to the community, as well as honor law enforcement for its assistance in raising funds for Special Olympics.

“We want to recognize these athletes,” Kuhr said. “I marvel at the drive these athletes have to work to their potential.”

The athletes and local law enforcement will participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run. The run will begin in Whitefish at Westside Gas & Grocery on Tuesday, May 12 at about 4 p.m. and come down West Second Street before turning onto Central Avenue and making its way to Depot Park.

The event coincides with the Montanans with Developmental Disabilities Week, which was created by the Montana Legislature to promote a greater understanding of people with developmental disabilities.

The Whitefish Thunder adult team is largely sponsored by the Whitefish Rotary club. As a member of the Rotary club and a coach for the team, Kuhr said the service organization is committed to assisting athletes by raising funds for their travel and gear.

“We’re dedicated to giving time and money to the team,” Kuhr said. “This is Whitefish’s team. We want to embrace them because they are an incredible part of the community.”

The Whitefish Thunder was established in 2011, as Whitefish’s first Special Olympics adult team. Besides competing in the Special Olympics summer and winter games, the Thunder have also had much success at the Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament. The team is made up of about 10 athletes.

The team allows adults with special needs to stay active in Special Olympics beyond their school years. Prior to the Thunder the only adult team was in Kalispell, which made it difficult for Whitefish athletes who had to travel back and forth for practices.

Kent Morrison, whose son Kyler is a member of the Thunder, said the creation of a Whitefish team was important.

“It was a great for the athletes to be recognized and be part of the community,” Morrison said of the team. “For the athletes, to have the ability to engage in the community with people that are compassionate and recognize they have potential is important.”

The Law Enforcement Torch Run raises funds and awareness for Special Olympics. Officers and others carry the Flame of Hope across Montana from 12 starting points around the state and travel more than 2,000 miles to the State Summer Games in Missoula in May.

Thunder athletes will run segments of the run on May 12 along with officers, coaches, and representatives from the 10 local businesses that sponsor the athletes. Once the torch run gets to East First Street all of the participants will join together for the final segment of the run to Depot Park. At the park, an introduction of athletes, barbecue and raffle will take place.

For more information, contact Kuhr at 250-4618 or Morrison at 249-7952.