The Lewis County Board of Commissioners celebrated the 2025 Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run during its business meeting Tuesday, honoring volunteers and Special Olympics participants.
Chehalis Police Department Deputy Chief Matt McKnight presented Lewis County Special Olympics volunteers and participants with a large check in the amount of $3,870 during the July 15 meeting. The check represents the proceeds collected from the Torch Run event and fundraiser held on June 10.
Ahead of the ceremonial hand-off of the check, Lewis County Developmental Disabilities Coordinator Sara Sons started off the meeting by introducing Lewis County Special Olympics athletes and volunteers, along with many of the services and programming they provide.
According to Sons, Lewis County Special Olympics has been active for more than 30 years offering sports programs and opportunities to community members of all ages year-round. Sports offered through the program include golf, bowling, basketball, track and swimming. The program currently serves roughly 75 athletes.
Sons also recognized the importance of community support, highlighting the importance of local volunteers as well as support from the program's two major fundraising events, the Torch Run and the Polar Plunge.
“Our program runs entirely on the strength of our community,” Sons said. “Volunteers and fundraising are what keeps us going.”
Sons also took the chance to name some of the major Torch Run supporters, thanking four local law enforcement agencies — the Centralia Police Department, the Chehalis Police Department, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office and Chehalis Tribal Police, as well as the Lewis County Department of Emergency Management — state Rep. Peter Abbarno, Alderson’s Awards West, Lewis County Transit and more.
After being introduced, Special Olympics coaches, athletes and their family members spoke in front of the board of commissioners to share the impact the sports program has made on their lives. Many spoke, and among them was Robert Hepner, a Lewis County Special Olympics coach and proud father of two Special Olympics athletes.
Hepner spoke about the importance of the Torch Run as a place for athletes to engage with the community and participate in a local event. He noted that many Special Olympics events are not local and require the athletes to travel outside the community.
“When we compete, we compete out of the county. We practice local, but our events are not local,” Hepner said. “The Torch Run’s local. It gives our athletes a chance to be in the community, walking down the street … My son and daughter, I think they enjoy that as much as the events that they’re going to compete for.”
Hepner's son, Bobby, also took the chance to speak about his experiences with the program. As he spoke, he thanked his father as well as the other athletes and coaches for their participation and shared his hopes to continue participating in the Special Olympics program as long as he can. Bobby has been involved in the program for 32 years.
“I just want to say thank you, and I hope Sara and my two coaches are there again for the next 30 years,” Bobby said.
After speaking briefly about the program and thanking volunteers and participants for coming to speak about the program, Lewis County Commissioners Scott Brummer, Lindsey Pollock and Sean Swope invited all of the participants to take a photo with them.
