In an attempt to maintain Guinness Book of World Record status, law enforcement and truckers throughout the United States and Canada will join forces to hold the World's Largest Truck Convoy (WTLC) on September 26, 2009. The local convoy will begin at the St. Charles Family Arena and end at the TR Hughes Ballpark in O'Fallon, Missouri. The highways will be lined with an expected 100 trucks as they convoy to celebrate their support of the athletes of Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO). The international fundraising and awareness event is a unique partnership between law enforcement and truckers to raise funds for Special Olympics so they can continue to train in year-round sports activities. Officers involved in the Law Enforcement Torch RunŽ for Special Olympics have made the WTLC one of their many annual signature events. "Special Olympics has a way of bringing everyone together, setting aside differences and building atmospheres of acceptance," says Crystal Chalk, Torch Run Administrative Assistant for SOMO. "The fact that Special Olympics can bring together law enforcement and truckers is a testament to how the athletes of Special Olympics are a true inspiration." The local leg of the WLTC is part of an international event, which will unite more than 2,000 truckers in 26 States and four Canadian Provinces that raised nearly $640,000 in 2008. The St. Louis leg is one of two in Missouri; another convoy will take place in Joplin. The public is invited to attend the route-end celebration at the TR Hughes Ballpark where the O'Fallon Police Department will be doing Child ID. There will also be face painting and other fun activities for the children.. Plan to stay and watch the Police Officers, Truck Drivers and SOMO athletes play in a softball game. The WLTC was conceived in 2001 by Corp. Norm Schneiderhan Special Project Coordinator for the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Florida. Schneiderhan, who drove a truck for about three years in his father's trucking company before he entered the field of law enforcement, launched the event for Special Olympics as a way to call attention to the organization among truckers. Trucking companies and truckers who want to participate in this year's event can still register the day of the event. The minimum donation to participate in the Special Olympics convoy is $100 per truck. For more information, please contact Crystal Chalk at 800-846-2682 or chalk@somo.org. Sponsors of the local convoy are ConAgra, WIL, Shop 'n Save, MO Motor Carriers Association and Texas Roadhouse. Special Olympics Missouri is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with mental disabilities. Over 15,000 athletes participate in 19 Olympic-type sports throughout the state. Special Olympics provides people with mental disabilities continuing opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with other athletes, their families and the community.
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