Keeping the torch ablaze

North Bergen Police began the Special Olympics Torch Run last Friday on 91st Street and Bergenline Avenue, and some members of the department pushed themselves through the entire Hudson County 14-mile loop.
Captain Robert Dowd said that the total amount raised for the Special Olympics, which took place on June 13, was $17,385. Dowd said it was a vast improvement from last year’s $10,646.
He said that Joseph Maccagnano, a member of North Bergen’s Special Young People group that is run by Netta Meltzer, was present. Meltzer runs adult and youth programs for people with mental handicaps.
Maccagnano competed in the softball throw and running events at the Special Olympics. He also ran with the officers through North Bergen.

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“I believe it’s symbolic of the Special Olympic Games.” – Robert Brown
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“I spoke to his dad and sister, and they are both proud of him being competitive and keeping active,” said Dowd. “I think it is a nice thing because he gets to see that the cops are committed to the charity.”
The North Bergen Police Department had 23 runners and three officers on mountain bikes, as well as seven uniformed officers that helped with traffic control. Sgt. Robert Brown and Officers Cynthia Vargas and Thomas Yfantis ran the entire 14-mile track that went from North Bergen all the way to Newark.
Brown, who has been on the force for 23 years, has run the entire 14-mile trek for most of the 14 years the torch run has existed. While he is an avid runner, he said there was more to be said for the law enforcement members that came out to run and pushed their bodies to the limit.
“I believe it’s symbolic of the Special Olympic Games,” said Brown.
Brown was impressed with how some officers who do not actively run did not give up, even if it meant walking.
Vargas, who carried the torch through North Bergen, had won a raffle at the department’s charity softball game two weeks ago, and donated $200 back to the Special Olympics.
Dowd said that when he first joined the force he helped organize the torch run and has only been its coordinator for the last nine years. He hopes to someday pass on the important job to younger members like Vargas and Yfantis, who have proven their commitment to charitable causes.
“I think that the [runners] strived to really out perform themselves because they are representing not only the Special Olympics; they are representing our police and our commitment to charity,” said Dowd.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.