Special Olympics

Jacksonville Public Safety Supports NC Special Olympics

Special Olympics NC

Special Olympics logo The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics works to give continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Special Olympics North Carolina is one of the largest Special Olympics programs with nearly 40,000 registered athletes who train and compete in year-round programs in 20 different sports.

The Jacksonville Police Department works diligently throughout every year to implement fundraising events and raise money for the Special Olympics and the athletes that participate. In 2022, The Jacksonville Police department raised over 30,000 dollars, ranking in the top 10 out of 103 statewide agencies. This program is one our Department is truly passionate about and proud to support now and into the future.

Torch Run

JPD Officers at the annual Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics NCThe North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics unites officers from law enforcement agencies and corrections departments across the state in an effort to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics North Carolina. Officers from all over the state run different legs with the torch and then pass it on. The volunteers from the Jacksonville Police Department run roughly 16 miles from the City Police Department to Richlands high school. The Torch Run efforts to raise funds include: collecting corporate sponsorships, T-shirt and hat donations and hosting unique fundraising events such as building sits, polar plunges and golf tournaments.

Tip A Cop

Officer at Kettle Diner Tip a Cop event with citizens


Tip-A-Cop is a program in which Jacksonville police officers work in local restaurants around the city taking orders, making drinks and serving food. The customers can place money in big tip jars that sit at the end of each table. Every tip the officers make in these restaurants goes toward supporting the Special Olympics and its athletes.

Get Involved

Fundraisers for Special Olympics are announced each year on the Jacksonville Public Safety social media pages and usually start in the spring and summer time.

“Volunteers from JPD have a very successful history of raising funds for Special Olympics.” said Chief Mike Yaniero, Director of Public Safety.

Want to volunteer at a JPD fundraising event? Call 910 455-4000

Officers Gee and Padrick at Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics