Vernon - Mountain Creek is again joining with the Vernon Police Dept. to serve as the starting point for the statewide 23rd annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the Special Olympics of N.J. About a dozen members of the department will participate in the run this year, along with several local Special Olympic athletes. They hope to raise several thousand dollars to the fund-raising efforts. The run begins at 6 a.m. at the Mountain Creek parking lot on Friday morning, June 2. The Vernon police officers will carry the torch down Route 94 South to the town line, where they will hand it off to the next leg of officers, who will continue on Route 23 toward Trenton. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the Special Olympics’ largest grass-roots fund raiser and public awareness vehicle, raising more than $21 million for Special Olympics programs around the world in 2005. More than 85,000 law enforcement officers carried the “Flame of Hope” across 35 nations, and thousands more supported the runners’ efforts through “Adopt-a-Cop” runner sponsorships, corporate sponsorships, “Torch Run” T-shirts and other merchandise sales. The N.J. law enforcement officers have been recognized as number one in fund-raising dollars for four consecutive years. The Torch Run consists of a series of relays run by law enforcement officers and athletes who carry the “Flame of Hope” to the opening ceremonies of local, regional, national or international Special Olympic Games. The run serves to highlight the voice of individuals with mental handicaps while acknowledging the contribution the law enforcement community makes to this worthwhile cause. To make a donation, call 973-827-6155.