The Inter-Mountain photo by Edgar Kelley The Seneca Trail Lodge 104 of the Fraternal Order of Police donated $1,000 to the Randolph County Special Olympics. The organization will also be sponsoring a 5-k walk run to support the Special Olympics on Sept. 24. Those attending the presentation from Randolph County Special Olympics were, in no particular order: Beverly Wine (secretary), Birdie Stalnaker, Charlie Wine, Linda Teter, Judy Waybright, Marilyn Westfall (coach), Bobbie Hornback, Diane Hoover (coach), Dan Hoover, Liz Wymer (county coordinator), Peggy McLean, Sammy McLean, and Sterling McLean. Those representing the FOP include: FOP President David VanMeter (deputy sheriff), Randolph County Sheriff Rob Elbon, RCSO Deputy Tyler Knotts and K-9 Hacker, West Virginia State Police Corporal D.T. Stallings, and Elkins Police Department Sgt. Brandon Tice.

The Inter-Mountain photo by Edgar Kelley
The Seneca Trail Lodge 104 of the Fraternal Order of Police donated $1,000 to the Randolph County Special Olympics. The organization will also be sponsoring a 5-k walk run to support the Special Olympics on Sept. 24. Those attending the presentation from Randolph County Special Olympics were, in no particular order: Beverly Wine (secretary), Birdie Stalnaker, Charlie Wine, Linda Teter, Judy Waybright, Marilyn Westfall (coach), Bobbie Hornback, Diane Hoover (coach), Dan Hoover, Liz Wymer (county coordinator), Peggy McLean, Sammy McLean, and Sterling McLean. Those representing the FOP include: FOP President David VanMeter (deputy sheriff), Randolph County Sheriff Rob Elbon, RCSO Deputy Tyler Knotts and K-9 Hacker, West Virginia State Police Corporal D.T. Stallings, and Elkins Police Department Sgt. Brandon Tice.

ELKINS — The Seneca Trail Lodge 104 of the Fraternal Order of Police is lending a helping hand to the Randolph County Special Olympics by donating to the organization and sponsoring an upcoming event.

The FOP presented a check for $1,000 to the Special Olympics this week at the organization’s lodge as several members of law enforcement joined a large group of Special Olympians for the presentation.

“The FOP is honored to support organizations such as the Special Olympics,” lodge president David VanMeter told The Inter-Mountain. “They provide critical services to special needs individuals in our community. Hopefully we are able to provide continued resources to them in the future.”

Liz Wymer, director of the Randolph County Special Olympics, said her organization is grateful to the FOP for their support. She stated that the financial assistance could not have been more timely since funding has declined during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the presentation, VanMeter also announced that the FOP will be sponsoring a 5K run-walk to raise additional funds for the Randolph County Special Olympics.

The 5k run-walk will be Sept. 24 at Riverbend Park in Elkins and is for all ages. Registration will be at 8 a.m. and the race will get under way at 9 a.m. The cost for the race is $20 and all proceeds will go to the Special Olympics. T-shirts will also be available at the race for $15.

“We just wanted to do a little more for them other than the donation,” VanMeter said. “So we came up with the idea of having the 5k run-walk over at Riverbend. All the money we make during that event will go toward helping them out.”

The Fraternal Order of Police is the world’s largest organization of sworn in law enforcement officers with more that 364,000 members.

The organization is committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those they serve through education, legislation, information, and community involvement.

Each year in December, the Seneca Trail Lodge holds an annual Christmas party for underprivileged children. For the past 28 years, the local lodge has handed out gifts during the event to children who might go without presents if not for the event.

For more information on any of the upcoming events, contact VanMeter at 304-668-5966.