Latest news with #SpecialOlympicsKentucky
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
SOKY to benefit from annual 'Cover the Cruiser'
AKentucky State Police vehicle was layered in graffiti while stationed Thursday outside the Audubon Federal Credit Union, 1429 Breckenridge St. In what typically would be a crime, people were instead invited to 'Cover the Cruiser' by taping donation slips promoting the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which raises money and awareness for Special Olympics Kentucky (SOKY). Trooper Corey King, public affairs officer for KSP's Henderson post, said for a minimum $1 donation, anyone could have the rare chance to deface a police cruiser. 'It's a unique way for anyone to come and basically graffiti a law enforcement vehicle and us be completely OK with it,' King said. 'It's $1 to litter our vehicle but most people are giving more than that.' The 'Cover the Cruiser' campaign, which involves all 16 KSP posts, began on April 17 in Bowling Green and then picked back up this week — April 21-25. King said 'Cover the Cruiser' was started five years ago as a replacement to the Torch Run, which was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Torch Run has since returned and 'Cover the Cruiser' was kept as an extra way to aid and promote SOKY. Thursday's campaign in Owensboro ran from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 'It can vary from $1,000 to $3,000 in a several hour period,' said King about how much is raised from the single event. 'Now, when you do that with all the 16 other posts, it adds up and that helps Special Olympics Kentucky.' Athletes and representatives from SOKY were visible and greeting those who came to donate. Kim Johnson, who's the Daviess County SOKY coordinator and SOKY Area 2 director, said the money raised in Owensboro will help pay for such necessities as venue rentals and game officials. 'We offer 15 different sports year round and we serve over 11,000 athletes across the state; here locally, we have about 200 who participate,' said Johnson, who's been working with SOKY for 36 years. '…It's my passion project.' This marks thesecond year Audubon Federal Credit Union has hosted the 'Cover the Cruiser' campaign. Previously, the event was held at a local convenience store and a restaurant. Jessica Higdon, Audubon Federal Credit Union's CEO, said the credit union also had space to bring in other nonprofits and a food truck to help make it an even larger public draw. 'We want to bring out as many people as we can, and we love doing this,' Higdon said. 'Special Olympics is a great organization, and community involvement is on top of our radar constantly. …Just being able to provide a good space … we have a huge parking lot and a huge front lawn.' Higdon added that she has a nephew who lost a leg last year in an accident, putting him in a position to become an athlete in SOKY. 'If we could host it every year in honor of my nephew, I would absolutely love it,' Higdon said. 'So that's what it means to me to have it here.' The final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run will lead up to the opening of the SOKY Summer Games on June 6, in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
KSP team up with Special Olympics KY for 2025 fundraiser
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Officials with Special Olympics Kentucky have announced 'Cover The Cruiser' is back for 2025. Event organizers say Kentucky State Police (KSP) Troopers will be parked at various businesses attempting to cover their cruisers in Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics icons. People are asked to visit any 'Cover the Cruiser' location and make a minimum $1 donation to Special Olympics Kentucky and they will receive an icon to personalize and tape to a KSP cruiser parked there. People will be able to give on site via Venmo in addition to cash. Daviess County landfill to release lawn, garden compost Both KSP posts in the Eyewitness News coverage area did their events on April 24. Post 2 – Nortonville Central City Casey's General Store at 645 South 2nd Street This event went from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Post 16 – Henderson Owensboro Audubon Federal Credit Union at 1429 Breckenridge Street This event went from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. KYTC's high water report for April 24, 2025 Officials say this will be the sixth year for the 'Cover the Cruiser' program. It has raised a total of more than $67,000 in its first five years. KSP initiated the 'Cover the Cruiser' fundraising event in 2020 when the annual Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run was canceled due to COVID-19. Each year, The Torch Run escorts the Special Olympics Flame of Hope to kick off the State Summer Games in Richmond, Kentucky. 'We are excited to still have the opportunity to work with the Kentucky State Police on this campaign,' said Special Olympics Kentucky CEO Angie Cruse-Tinch. 'The Kentucky State Police means a lot to our program, including playing a big role in the State Summer Games presenting awards. Our athletes look forward to having the opportunity to meet and spend time with Troopers at these stops and greatly appreciate the support they receive through Cover the Cruiser.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
KSP's 'Cover the Cruiser' returns April 24
During the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Kentucky State Police launched its 'Cover the Cruiser' campaign after the annual Special Olympics' Law Enforcement Torch Run was called off. 'It was one of those (things) that kind of popped up (in wondering), 'How can we give back to this organization when so many things were canceled?',' said Trooper Corey King, public affairs officer with KSP's Post 16 in Henderson. 'And this was one of those events where we're like, 'Hey, we have our cars and we have the personnel that's working 24/7 anyway ….' ' The initiative saw troopers from all 16 posts and its state headquarters in Frankfort parked at various businesses in an effort to have members of the public 'cover' police vehicles with Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics icons for a minimum $1 donation for Special Olympics Kentucky. '... (Troopers) were able to park at an established business, and at that point there was that social distancing that people were really honoring …,' King said. '... We just popped up one of our cars at an established business — many of them were gas stations and things like that — and so many people were itching to continue to be part of the community and give back in some way.' In its first year, the statewide program raised more than $16,000 in donations and has become a yearly tradition ever since. 'It raised quite a bit of money (the first year),' King said, 'and it's kind of been a staple for us in helping boost the Torch Run ….' The sixth annual campaign in Owensboro, led by Post 16, will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 24 at the Audubon Federal Credit Union, 1429 Breckenridge St. — marking the event's second year at the location. According to AFCU's April edition of its newsletter, 'Audubon Angle,' guests scheduled to be on-site include Chad Benefield with WBKR, Lauren Patterson with New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services, Jill Thompson with The Center — along with the organization's new mobile unit — Jennifer Higdon with kynect, Terry Niles of Sam's Club, Jon Tornatta with Healthy Spaces, Sgt. Chris Bond of the U.S. Air Force, Sfc. Nathan Foss of the U.S. Army, Mandy Masterson of BHG Realty and members of the SOKY from Owensboro-Daviess County. Real Hacienda will also be available via its food truck for food purchases. According to SOKY's website, 'Cover the Cruiser' raised over $67,000 in its first four years, with 2024 alone bringing in about $11,000, with all proceeds going toward SOKY's sports, health and school community building programs throughout the state. '... This is one of those (programs) where we are strategically placed across the commonwealth, (making) it a good way to not only engage with the public who don't always get to have any interaction with troopers that are on the scene but also many of the Special Olympics' athletes who come to attend,' King said. '... They get to meet those that are here in our community, and (personally) see where (the donations) go.' Besides supporting a good cause, King finds the event has a unique element in regards to people getting up-close and personal with a law enforcement vehicle. '... I think this is the only time that I know of that you can actually graffiti a state trooper car,' King joked. '... We have so many young kids that come with their parents, grandparents, they come eat, they make a donation — but we get to (establish) a relationship with them. 'Getting to know the kids of our community is one of the best parts of my job,' King said, 'if not the best part of my job ….' Donations will be accepted via cash and Venmo. Additional 'Cover the Cruiser' events are listed online at If unable to attend any 'Cover the Cruiser' events, donations are also being accepted by SOKY at
