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Through High Winds and Snow, Flame of Hope Continues Journey & Arrives in Great Falls

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: May 4, 2010 at 5:28 PM MST

Story Updated: May 4, 2010 at 6:10 PM MST

Powerful winds and blowing snow did not stop law enforcement and athletes from participating in the largest Special Olympics fundraiser of the year.

Today the Special Olympics “Flame of Hope” made the journey to Great Falls - and although the 88 mile journey left runners from the Hi-Line soaked and cold, the weather was no match for their determination to contribute to a good cause.

“The weather isn’t cooperating very well with us today.”

Through snow and howling winds they ran, a torch guiding their way.

“We could of easily probably called it off today, but it’s an important cause,” explained law enforcement officer Jeff Faque, an 11-year participant with the Torch Run.

After a brief stop to warm up with a hot drink, the group was off once again.

“Everybody’s heard of Special Olympics before, but they rarely see law enforcement officers out there, joining – doing what we do to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics,” Leg Leader Cheree Miller of the US Border Patrol told NewsChannel 5.

Since 1985, the Montana Torch Run has brought together Special Olympics athletes, Border Patrol agents, police officers and highway patrol - raising $390,000 last year alone.

“Law enforcement officers have really come forward in the state of Montana over the last decade to increase amounts of money we raise for Special Olympics athletes and their families by hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Faque says.

Their journey began earlier today in Cut Bank, with a final destination in the noticeably dryer Electric City late this afternoon.

After being passed on at the Expo Park, the "Flame of Hope" will now continue its trip through a series of relays throughout the state, ultimately finishing in Bozeman next week.

“People ask me why I want to live in Montana and it’s because we have people like this participating in events like this, in this kind of weather, for nothing other than the good cause, because they know it’s the right thing to do,” shares Miller.

Three torch run teams met today in Great Falls, and the torch will continue its journey tomorrow - as it moves one step closer to its final destination in Bozeman.

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