Chesterfield sheriff walks through fire after hitting fundraising goal for Special Olympics Virginia
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Chesterfield County Sheriff Karl Leonard walked barefoot across a burning track on Friday after hitting his fundraising goal for Special Olympics Virginia.
"I said, 'Well, if I make my goal this year, I’ll do a fire walk' -- It sounded good five months ago. Doesn’t sound so good today,” Leonard joked before taking the walk.
The goal was to raise $15,000 for Special Olympics Virginia. Leonard and the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office surpassed that, with more than $17,000 raised.
So, the night of Friday, March 7, Leonard fulfilled his promise by walking across burning coals outside of the Special Olympics Virginia headquarters in Richmond.
Chesterfield County Sheriff Karl Leonard on the night of his fire walk. (Photo: Sara Molina/8News)
"I’m feeling good, I’m feeling energized -- the anxiety is gone. I’m glad it’s over,” Leonard said after completing the walk. “Those are real coals. Real fire and real heat, but it was for such a good cause."
Leonard added that he does things like this every year to try and incentivize people to donate.
The money raised this time around will go towards 21,000 athletes who participate in Special Olympic Virginia competitions -- but Leonard said it goes beyond just sports.
"It also goes to much needed medical care that many of the athletes can't get," he explained. "They come to these events and the Special Olympics is there for them to get dental work, to correct whatever issues they have with their teeth, to get them eyeglasses, to get them health checks."
Athletes like Emily Bower said the event -- as well as the Special Olympics, itself -- make her feel seen.
"Just being able to participate in all these things, it really gives me a sense of purpose -- and it’s the best,” said Bower, who also serves as an administrative assistant for the organization.
Leonard said they still have to decide what he will do next year if funding is met again. If you'd like to donate to Special Olympics Virginia, you can do that here.
