Piedmont Correctional Center officers wants to get their name on a T-shirt.

Not just any T-shirt, but one that says they raised more than $6,000 for the North Carolina Special Olympics.

Since the kickoff Feb.14, the center is already halfway to that goal by raising $3,000.

Monday, correctional officers with the prison emergency response team displayed their equipment and contraband found in the center at Wal-Mart to raise money for the 2000 Law Enforcement Torch Run.

And from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. the specialized unit of 26 officers raised $1,214.

“The predominant way to raise money for the torch run is selling the T-shirts and hats,” said Harry Greene, Piedmont Correctional Center’s torch run coordinator.

The T-shirts and hats cost $13 each. The group also had a fish bowl open for donations.

This is the second year the center has raised money for the torch run. Last year $1,113 was raised by the center, and “we have already tripled that,” this year, Greene said.

Last year, the Department of Correction was second in the country in its fund-raising efforts and came in third in the world, Greene said.

“The Special Olympics is one of the very few charities that is strictly voluntary in nature,” Greene said. “There are no paid salaries, and 100 percent of the money goes directly to the individuals.”

On May 17, the center is planning a charity golf tournament at the Warrior Golf Club in China Grove. The team is also planning another fund-raiser at Wal-Mart during April. It will continue raising money until the end of May, and the Torch Run will commence June 2 in Raleigh.

“We really want to get our names on the shirts next year, and with great people helping us…we will be able to do it and help a good cause,”Greene said.

A number of law enforcement agencies are involved in the North Carolina Special Olympic Torch Run fund-raiser.

You can place orders for T-shirts or hats, or make a donation, at any of the following law enforcement agencies:

• Piedmont Correctional Center, Harry Greene, 639-7540.
• Salisbury Police Department, Rita Beck, 638-5333.
• Spencer Police Department, Jennifer Mason Womble, 633-3574.
• China Grove Police Department, Eric Solomon, 857-7755.
• Landis Police Department, Steve Beaver, 857-2129.
• Rowan Correctional Center, Ted Thomas, 639-7553.
• Rowan County Sheriff’s Department, Steve Beaver, 638-3097.

Orders can also be placed with Salisbury Sewing Plant, James Garrett, 639-7647.