It takes a village

SANDERS COUNTY – The citizens of Sanders County came together with law enforcement on Saturday for a cause bigger than them all.

Through the sweat and the exhaustion, the group of participants proudly carried the Special Olympics torch over numerous hours and 77 miles of highway, helping to signify the impending games. 

According to organizer April Phillips, the 2014 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics went off without a hitch.

Phillips, a Sanders County Sheriff’s deputy, organized the event for her second year in a row and was happy with the overall success. With fewer participants than in previous years, runners, bicyclists and horses teamed together to tally more individual miles than normal.

The day was long and grueling for some, but the rewards were high. 

Phillips said the day started bright and early at 7:30 a.m. and finished a little before four. Although the exact number of participants was not known, the group came together, starting at the Idaho-Montana state line and carried the torch until mile marker 77, which landed right at the Subway in Plains.

Sanders County had a title to live up to and although final numbers were not in, as of Sunday May 11, the county led Montana in the most funds raised during the torch run for the second year in a row with over $2,600. 

“It’s an amazing way for the communities to give back to the athletes. It’s all about them,” Phillips said. “It’s making their wishes and dreams come true one at a time.”

Participants had to travel a minimum of one mile, although Phillips said most did more than that. 

Deputy Noah Hathorne originally signed up for nine miles of the trek. Hathorne began by running and was joined by some of his family. Once his miles were up, Hathorne decided to continue on for another three miles with the next group.

“He kept going and going and going,” Phillips said. “He ran most of it and bicycled about five or six miles.”

The spirit that lit up in Hathorne could be seen in other participants as well as they proudly held the torch high for all to see.

An entourage of two sheriff’s office vehicles helped ensure the safety of the participants as they escorted the partakers. Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Charles Burton led the way, with lights flashing to warn oncoming traffic of those who followed him.

According to their website, the event’s purpose is to raise funds and awareness for the Special Olympics.

“Special Olympics is a program that daily reaffirms our beliefs that with hope, love and dedication we can see achievement and self-worth realized by any individual,” states the website. “It is our belief that persons with intellectual disabilities, by their involvement in Special Olympics, show the community at large the true meaning of sports and a pure joy towards life.”

Phillips has seen that joy firsthand when she attended both the spring and winter games.

“It’s just amazing how much of a huge difference and huge impact (the games have) in the athlete’s lives and how thankful and happy they are to see us there,” Phillips said.

The run is dear to Phillips’ heart and she has been a part of it in one way or another for the last five years. After the original organizer passed the flame to her, Phillips has been organizing the run that Deputy Dave Hedley began. Hedley has since passed, but Phillips continues his tradition, although she admits she could not do it herself.

Her mother, Teresa, has participated in the event since the beginning. As an emergency medical technician, Teresa rode along in her daughter’s vehicle in case her services were needed.

Phillips also said the run would not be possible without Maggie Epperson, the coordinator of the pony express portion of the run, where riders take to horseback for almost 40 miles of the journey. She credited the cooperation with MHP, Thompson Falls Police Department and Plains Police Department, as well as the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office as important, helping to bring the event to life.

In an annual tradition, the Thompson Falls Rural Fire Department also lent a helping hand as they dished out barbeque for the participants and their families. This year the fire department served around 100 people.

The goal for the next few years is to increase the money raised back to the $4,000 range, a place it sat at last year. Since Phillips is currently attending the academy, she was unable to donate as much time as last year, but her goal is to get it back to that point.

Phillips also hopes to expand the run past mile marker 77 and as far as Ravalli. If this was accomplished, the run would take up to two days and involve many more volunteers.

For now, Phillips can rest knowing that for yet another year, Sanders County did their part in spreading awareness, while raising funds for the Special Olympics. 

The 2014 state games will take place in Billings on May 13-16.