Hanover County Sheriff’s Office’s Colonel V. Stuart Cook has been named the Region 5 Director of the 23rd annual Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Virginia.

As Region 5 Director for the second consecutive year, Colonel Cook hopes to increase agency participation and also surpass last year’s region fund raising efforts, which totaled $80,000.

"The community support means so much to our runners and to the program," Cook said. "Each year during the Torch Run, it is apparent that businesses and citizens alike show their support through volunteer efforts, by setting up "cheering" sections and also provide refreshments for the runners."

The Hanover County Sheriff’s Office has participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting Special Olympics Virginia since the Torch Run’s inception in 1986.

"Since 2000, Lt. Scott Carter has been instrumental in recruiting members of our agency, the Town of Ashland Police and Hanover Fire/EMS to prepare for and participate in the June Torch Run," Cook said.

"This popular event draws a large group of runners as well as attendance at the kick-off event held at the University of Richmond."

 The preceding was compiled from a Special Olympics Virginia news release.