Law enforcement and students join for torch run in Albion

Event raises funds and awareness for Special Olympics

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Albion students in Sheri Berg’s life skills class carried the torch and were part of a law enforcement torch run today in a benefit for the Special Olympics. Here they head up the main driveway leading the high school after being on East Avenue.

This is the second year the torch run was held in Albion. The students ran the first half of the course.

Law enforcement from the Albion Police Department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, State Police and DEC joined students on the run which went about 2.7 miles.

Albion Police Chief David Mogle holds the torch while the law enforcement officers gathered near the start line in the village’s municipal lot on Platt Street next to Dubby’s Tailgate.

Turnout was about 40 for the torch run, more than double the debut last year.

“We hope to get even more next year,” Mogle said.

Emily Lanham, an Albion student, takes a turn carrying the torch. She is surrounded by many of her classmates with local law enforcement right behind the students.

Alex Yankevich carries the torch while the group heads down Route 31 past the Cone Zone. Devon Pahuta, a deputy with the Sheriff’s Office, is in back at left.

This group, led by Michele Fitzwater with the torch, passes in front of the Middle School where many students and teachers lined the sidewalk to cheer on the group.

Jeff Wilson, a retired Border Patrol officer, carries the torch while the group runs on Main Street. Wilson is the Western New York director of the law enforcement torch run.