Torch Runner to Represent Texas at National Games
Bexar County Sheriff's Deputy to Run
For Immediate Release: April 11, 2006
Bexar County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Villarreal has been selected from law enforcement officials statewide, to represent Texas in the Law Enforcement Torch Run final leg at the inaugural Special Olympics U.S.A. National Games this summer.
The 2006 National Games will take place on the Iowa State University campus in Ames from July 1-8, 2006. In June the Torch Run will start in Chicago and then travel through every county in Iowa before making its way to Ames. Law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes will run the Special Olympics torch – the Flame of Hope – hundreds of miles to the Opening Ceremonies.
Deputy Joe Villarreal has been involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Texas for more than 20 years. He has served as the Torch Run Coordinator for the San Antonio area for 18 years and as the Torch Run Liaison on the Development Committee for seven years. An integral part of countless Texas Torch Run fundraising events, Villarreal also supports Special Olympics Texas as a volunteer at local and state competitions.
In Texas, the Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1985 and has grown to become one of the largest in the nation. In the last decade, Torch Run has contributed over $11 million through the dedication of thousands of law enforcement personnel fundraising on behalf of SOTX.
About the 2006 Special Olympics U.S.A. National Games
More than 3,500 athletes including 130 athletes from Texas and more than 10,000 spectators
from across the country will participate in and attend the Games. A list of activities for the Games includes swimming, track and field, basketball, gymnastics, powerlifting, bowling, tennis, golf, softball, bocce, soccer and volleyball. For more information, please visit www.2006nationalgames.org.
About Special Olympics Texas
Special Olympics Texas is a privately funded non-profit organization, providing year-round sports training and athletic competition to over 23,885 children and adults with intellectual disabilities [mental retardation] in the Lone Star State. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.specialolympicstexas.org.
Special Olympics Texas Official Partners: Coca-Cola, GMAC, H-E-B, and Interlex
Kelly Coffey
Director of Public Relations
Special Olympics Texas
512.491.2928
kcoffey@sotx.org
