Peter Abbarno: Lewis County Special Olympics Is a Cause Worth Supporting 

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Despite the lingering pain in my knees and back, plus the constant reminder from my son that he ran all 19 miles and “beat me,” I have only great feelings and memories of this year’s Lewis County Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the Lewis County Special Olympics and our amazing athletes. 

“No pain, no gain” is what I tell myself before each Torch Run and Polar Plunge to benefit the pride of Lewis County and Washington state.

This year’s Torch Run route started at the Napavine Police Department and weaved its way to cheering students at Napavine, Chehalis and Centralia schools. Almost every step was met with cheering community members, honking cars and laughter from the runners and supporters. It was another reminder that we live in a very amazing community.

Although formally the Special Olympics was established in 1968, the real origins began more humbly and organic. The Special Olympics began as Camp Shriver. In 1960, Eunice Shriver, a parent from Bethesda, Maryland, was having trouble finding a summer camp for her child with intellectual disabilities. Mainstream camps were not accepting her child, public education was not equipped for children with special needs and summer after summer came and went without activities for her child and countless other children with disabilities. 

That is when Eunice Shriver contacted other parents and schools with special-needs children and started Camp Shriver, with 34 children and 26 high school and college-aged counselors. They learned to swim, played baseball, shot baskets, rode horses and had summer fun. The camp grew. Soon, the Special Olympics was born in 1968.

Today, the worldwide Special Olympics has six million athletes, one million coaches and volunteers and over 100,000 competitions every year. Thousands of those athletes, parents, coaches and supporters are right here in the state of Washington.

Sadly though, the story of Eunice Shriver continues in many families unable to find adequate programs or afford to provide the summer camp and Special Olympics experience for their child or family member. That is where our local Lewis County Special Olympics organization steps up to help.

Each year, I am proud to volunteer and work alongside some very amazing people to plan the Polar Plunge at Mayfield Lake in the winter and the Law Enforcement Torch Run in the summer. The funds raised at these events and donations throughout the year help make the Special Olympics a reality for so many athletes and families. Uniforms, travel expenses and equipment all cost money, so any amount of assistance can help make an Olympic dream come true. 



Every athlete deserves an opportunity to be successful and do what they love. Athletics and competition is healthy, therapeutic and social and promotes our communities in the best possible ways. I am honored to support the Special Olympics and proud of our athletes competing and Pacific Lutheran University June 9 through June 11.  

Thank you in advance for your support, and thank you to Centralia Officer Ruben Ramirez, Branda Pagett, Sara Sons, the Centralia Police Department, the Chehalis Police Department, the Napavine Police Department, Chehalis Tribal Police, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office and all those volunteering, organizing and supporting the 2023 Law Enforcement Torch Run.

A special congratulations goes to all the runners and the four brave runners that completed all 19 miles, including Antonio Abbarno, 10, Lewis County Commissioner Sean Swope, Royal Sons and Centralia Police Sergeant Dave Clary. 

To support our Lewis County Special Olympics Athletes, consider a contribution to the Centralia Police Officers Association, c/o Law Enforcement Torch Run, 118 West Maple St., Centralia, Washington, 98531, or visit www.LewisCountyLETR.com. And, consider plunging with our Lewis County Icicle Brigade team this winter.

Rep. Peter Abbarno represents the 20th Legislative District in the Washington House of Representatives. Abbarno is a local attorney and business owner with the law firm Althauser Rayan Abbarno, LLP and participates in the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Polar Plunge to support the Special Olympics.