Volunteers representing officers from across West Texas will gather today to kick off the West Texas leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, to help raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics.

Law enforcement officers are set to run down Third Street from the Golder Avenue intersection to the Odessa Police Department building at around 9:30 a.m. The public is invited to stand along Third Street between Golder and Grant avenues and support participating volunteers and Special Olympics athletes.

After a brief program at 10 a.m., officers will lead torch runners south on Grant Avenue to Murphy Street, carrying the ceremonial torch to kick off the West Texas leg.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in Texas in 1985. Last year, torch runners across Texas raised about $3 million for the Special Olympics program.