Moorestown Welcomes Special Olympics Torch

A few days before the Special Olympics begin, the final leg of the torch run came through Moorestown.

On Thursday, the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg For the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games New Jersey stopped in Moorestown.

A ceremony was held, led by Deputy Mayor Stacey Jordan and included speeches by the Deputy Mayor, Councilwoman Victoria Napolitano, and Township Manager Scott Carew, according to a release issued by the township.

Councilman Phil Garwood also attended the ceremony and joined Jordan and Napolitano in presenting each athlete and the law enforcement that run with them a Moorestown “Gold Medal” on behalf of the residents of the town.

“The slogan of Special Olympics New Jersey is ‘Genuine Jersey Pride’, and I can tell you, we are all extremely proud of each and every one of you,” Jordan told the Special Olympians. “Today, you see genuine Moorestown pride on display as we’ve come together to wish our amazing athletes well on their way to the USA games.”

“We are proud of our community here in Moorestown – but you cannot be a community without inclusion,” Napolitano said. “The work the Special Olympics does for our special needs community by building a more inclusive world is remarkable and should be commended.”

Moorestown was one of 11 communities in southern New Jersey selected for a stop on Thursday as the Olympians continue their march to the Prudential Center in Newark for Sunday’s Opening Ceremonies.

New Jersey hosts the Special Olympics this year. Learn more about the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games at www.2014specialolympics.org.

“I thank our law enforcement here in Moorestown and around the country that has volunteered to participate in the torch run and support the efforts of these incredible men and women,” Jordan added. “They are truly an inspiration to us all.”