Ferris State University’s 42 Law Enforcement Academy recruits raised $1,200 for the
Michigan Special Olympics earlier this semester.
The students, along with local police officers, participated in the three-mile Law Enforcement Torch Run on Sept. 11 to raise awareness and funds for the MSO.
“College students know that they must get a job in their community, but in order to do so, they must connect with their community. Participation in this event helped the recruits do just that,” said Cecil Queen, associate professor at Ferris and Law Enforcement Academy coordinator. “The students become leaders when they contribute in events such as this one.”
The Torch Run is a team relay race. The race stretches from Copper Harbor, Mich. to Detroit, more than 600 miles. Community events are also set up around Michigan to raise money for the MSO.
“We try to challenge the students to come up with ideas to improve the Big Rapids community,” Queen said. “By the time they’re done at Ferris, they will have completed a total of 1,500 to 2,000 community service hours.”
The MSO does not receive state or federal funds to operate, so they relies solely on donations.