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Nov 11, 2009 11:48 am US/Central
Man Inspired To Keep Kids Safe Runs D.C. Marathon
(WCCO)
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Torgerson ran and raised more than $3,000 for Safe Kids Minnesota and Safe Kids USA. That money will to help kids in Minnesota and across the United States stay safe from injury.
CBS
Saying he did it for the children of Minnesota, an Olmsted County law enforcement officer recently completed a special marathon in Washington D.C.
Capt. Kevin Torgerson has been a first responder at numerous accidents and other scenarios throughout his career, where children have been hurt or killed because someone else did something unsafe.
He said one story, in particular, touched his life and was the real encouragement for him running this time. A mother in Rochester contacted him and asked him to run on behalf of her family, after two of her three children died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
"When I heard her story, I knew this was something I needed to do," Torgerson said, adding that he feels it's an honor to run in the Marine Corp Marathon.
Torgerson, the director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for Olmsted County, spent 85 days running a total of 790 miles to train for the marathon, which he completed in 3:54:17.
By running in the marathon, he raised both awareness and money for the Safe Kids Minnesota and Safe Kids USA campaigns.
"Kevin and our Safe Kids team have raised more than $3,000 to help kids in Minnesota and across the United States stay safe from injury," said Erin Petersen with Safe Kids Minnesota. "A heartfelt 'thank you' to Kevin as well as the organizations and individuals who supported this important cause."
The money will fund various programs in Minnesota, including bike safety seminars and car seat education programs.
"As a 12 year DARE officer and six of those years as the Olmsted County's first School liaison officer, I spent all my time educating parents and kids by basically talking to and contacting anyone who would listen. In fact, if I could, I would go back into the classroom in a minute," Torgerson said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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