Ogdensburg cop raises money for Special Olympics

OGDENSBURG — Ogdensburg Police Officer Jim Lame goes the extra mile on behalf of raising funds for the N.J. Special Olympics.
Lame started soliciting business donations 10 years ago, but now he, and the Ogdensburg Fraternal Order of Police, is preparing for the fourth annual Ogdensburg car wash fund raiser, May 21, at the Ogdensburg Firehouse, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The rain date is May 28.
Lame said if cars are still coming, they will not stop.
He also said they grill hamburgers, hot dogs, and play music all day. A bunch of kids hold signs and wave cars into the firehouse parking lot. Lame said it is a really good day, with people dancing to the music and washing cars. Then, car owners can make a donation and grab a hot dog or hamburger.
“Somebody is cooking burgers all day,” Lame said.
Last year, the Fraternal Order of Police, Ogdensburg, Lodge 57, raised almost $1,800 for the Special Olympics.
In addition to the car wash, law enforcement officers throughout New Jersey raise money by participating in the “Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.” On Friday, June 10, law enforcement officers will carry the “Flame of Hope” throughout the Garden State and into the 2016 Special Olympics New Jersey Summer Games, held at The College of New Jersey in Ewing.
Port Authority Police Officer Jerry Colligan coordinates the run for N.J. Colligan said one of the 26 runs starts in Wantage, travels through Sparta, Hopatcong, Sussex, and Sommerset.
Colligan also said N.J. is one of the only two states whose Special Olympics athletes do not not pay anything for the summer Olympics, including food and lodging. Fifty states and 65 countries participate in the games.
In addition, Colligan emphasized Lane organizes the car wash himself to help raise money for the Special Olympics athletes.
“It's tough because there are so many great charities, without a large business base,” Colligan said.
Colligan said Lame is a pretty modest guy because he contributes all the hamburgers, hot dogs, and more, on the day of the wash, out of his own pocket and not out of the proceeds.
For additional information or to donate to N.J. Special Olympics, see: www.sonj.org.