Canku Ota

(Many Paths)

An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America

June 19, 2004 - Issue 115

Special Olympics Summer Season Begins

credits: Anthony Miranda of the Pechanga Development Corporation and chairman of CNIGA, carries the torch with Special Olympics athletes May 22. (Photo courtesy Pechanga Resort & Casino)

The event began as Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro welcomed everyone gathered. This included Special Olympics athletes, state elected officials, members of law enforcement and fire departments and other tribal leaders. Macarro then invited his brother John and Pechanga Development Corporation member Patrick Murphy to the stage. The three performed a series of traditional Pechanga birdsongs, which are said to set a positive mood for the endeavor at hand.

State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth then gave some words of encouragement to the athletes and the runners. Clad in running gear, Anthony Miranda of the Pechanga Development Corporation then approached the podium and told the athletes what an honor it was to have the opportunity to run with them, some of the hardest working athletes around. With the help of the Pechanga tribal members in attendance, Miranda presented a check for $7,500 to the Special Olympics.

It was then time for the lighting of the torch and the ceremonial lap to kick off the relay run. Miranda lit the Special Olympics torch from the massive cauldron and was soon joined by dozens of Special Olympics athletes ready to take the lap around the resort property. Following Miranda’s lead, the runners made their way around the stage, out to the street, through the casino valet and back around to the stage. Miranda passed the torch to Pechanga safety officer and tribal member Dennis Carmichael for the start of the 16.2 mile run that was to wind through the city of Temecula.

The Special Olympics festivities began May 22 with a fire truck pull with teams from the Pechanga Fire Department and a tae kwon do board break-a-thon. Over the course of the two-day event, organizers were able to raise more than $40,000 for the charity that provides sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for Southern California children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This provides them with opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and share their gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics is the movement’s largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. In 2003 this international initiative raised more than $19 million for Special Olympics. More than 85,000 law enforcement officers around the world carried the "Flame of Hope" across 35 nations, raising awareness and funds for Special Olympics. At its most basic level, the Torch Run is an actual running event in which officers and athletes run the "Flame of Hope" to the Opening Ceremonies of local Special Olympics competitions, state/provincial Games, and National Summer or Winter Games.

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