PECHANGA INDIAN RESERVATION, Calif. – (May 18, 2015) – Special Olympics Southern California, Pechanga and Riverside County Law Enforcement celebrated a kickoff to the 2015 summer games season with the lighting of Flame of Hope at Pechanga Resort & Casino. On a crisp and sunny Sunday afternoon in May, about 150 police officers, firefighters and other law enforcement, Special Olympics athletes and the public gathered outside the resort/casino to see the Special Olympics torch be lit from a ceremonial cauldron. The crowd heard a few remarks by Riverside County Sheriff, Stan Sniff, and by Pechanga Development Corporation board member Ken Perez about their longstanding commitments to the organization.

Before the torch lighting ceremony concluded, Pechanga presented a $20,000 check to the Special Olympics to help support critical programs in the community. Athletes then laced up their shoes as they readied for the ceremonial first lap through the hotel/casino’s valet area.

Law enforcement and public safety officers then began their journey to the finish line from Pechanga Resort & Casino throughout the city of Temecula, concluding with the arrival of the torch at Wilson Creek Winery that evening.

“This is Pechanga’s 15th year supporting the Special Olympics Torch Run, and our Tribe is proud to participate in events that raise support for such a critical group in our community,” said Patrick Murphy, President of the Pechanga Development Corporation. “The resilience of these athletes and their families is an inspiration to all of us.”

A longtime advocate for youth programs and services in the Temecula Valley and surrounding communities, Pechanga has supported the Special Olympics Torch Run since its inception and has hosted the event’s opening ceremonies since 2004. To date, Pechanga has contributed more than $165,000 to the program as a primary presenting sponsor.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest grassroots fundraising and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics in the world. Officers from the United States and 46 countries around the world carry the Torch, called the Flame of Hope, in honor of all Special Olympics athletes. The Southern California Special Olympics Summer Games will be held June 13 and 14 at Cal State Long Beach. Since its inception in 1981, the Torch Run has raised nearly $461 million for Special Olympics.