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Senior Writer
ABERDEEN - For several years, the Aberdeen Police Department has played a part in supporting the Special Olympics in Mississippi.
This year is no different. To help with this project, Aberdeen Main Street started an Adopt-A-Cop program. Local businesses or individuals may get a picture of their favorite officer, plus a T-shirt delivered by that officer for $10. Businesses hang these pictures in their windows.
A Torch Run is held across the country, coming from Tennessee into Mississippi, where different runners carry the torch across the state. It passed through Aberdeen earlier this month, with local officers running.
"The Special Olympics does so much to help the children and young adults who were born with handicaps," said Major Quinell Shumpert, who was instrumental in getting Aberdeen involved in the cause. "They put all their heart and soul in the athletic events."
Special Olympics Mississippi is held at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi. The concept of Special Olympics began in the early 1960s, with the Mississippi Chapter established in 1968, with 150 athletes participating in the first games at the University of Southern Mississippi. Among the many sports in the Special Olympics are track and field, canoeing, croquet, equestrian, floor hockey, horseshoes and volleyball.
Anyone interested in participating in the Adopt-A-Cop project should call the Aberdeen Main Street office or the city clerk's office. Donations are welcome.