For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Gloucester Police Department Shows Their Support for the Special Olympics

GLOUCESTER — Chief Leonard Campanello and Police Department Employee Christina Melillo, who is also the Finance and Fundraising Chair for the Cape Ann Division of Special Olympics, are pleased to announce that the Gloucester Police Department is showing its support for the Special Olympics of Massachusetts through the 2015 Annual Calendar Raffle fundraiser and a number of other fundraising events.

“As a department, we are always looking for ways to give back to the community,” Chief Campanello said. “Every year we find a variety of unique ways to support this important program that gives these young athletes the opportunity to excel in the activities they enjoy.”

The 2015 “31 Days, 31 Prizes” Calendar Raffle is a fundraising event conducted by the Special Olympics for the month of December. It features 31 prizes, which will be raffled off one per day throughout the month. Each calendar holds one entry to win, and can be purchased for $10 until November 30.

The Gloucester Police Department will also participate in several events to raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) program, one of the most important year-round fundraising initiatives supporting Special Olympics Massachusetts. The LETR program was created in 1981 by Wichita, Kan. Police Chief Richard LaMunyon in increase support for the Special Olympics.

Next week, the Gloucester Police Department will be participating in “Growing Hair ‘Cus We Care,” initiative, where officers will be allowed to grow neatly trimmed beards and facial hair for a $100 “fee,” which is donated to the Special Olympics LETR of Massachusetts. Female officers can also participate by dying or changing their hair for a $100 donation.

Gloucester Police also plan on participating in a “Tip-A-Cop” event, where officers act as celebrity waitstaff working for “tips” that are actually donations. All proceeds from donations will help to provide uniforms, sports equipment and facilities for Special Olympic Athletes. In addition, Melillo plans on hosting a Paint Night along with other events supported by the Cape Ann Division of the Special Olympics.

Those who wish to purchase a calendar for the 31-day raffle can contact Christina Melillo at cmelillo@gloucester-ma.gov or 978-281-9775.

Gloucester is part of a brand new Cape Ann Division of the Special Olympics. For more information, or if you wish to match any of the officers’ donations, please contact Christina Melillo at cmelillo@gloucester-ma.gov.

About The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics:

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is a year-round fundraising and awareness building program, designed to allow members of the law enforcement community the opportunity to support Special Olympics athletes who live, work and compete in their local communities.

In 1981, Wichita, Kan. Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to increase awareness and support of Special Olympics, and started the program, which was quickly adopted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. What began simply as escorting the Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremonies of the summer games, winter games, and all other athletic competitions, turned into one of the largest grassroots fundraising programs in the organization. Today, all 50 states and more than 35 countries actively participate in the LETR program.

In Massachusetts, more than 1,000 members of the state’s Law Enforcement community participate in events organized through the LETR program.

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