The
Law Enforcement Torch Run®
The mission of the Law Enforcement
Torch Run® (LETR) for Special Olympics is to raise funds
for and awareness of the Special Olympics Movement
worldwide. Special Olympics is a program that daily
reaffirms our beliefs that with hope, love and dedication
we can see achievement and self-worth realized by any
individual. It is our belief that persons with
intellectual disabilities, by their involvement in Special
Olympics, show the community at large the true meaning of
sports and a pure joy towards life.
What
is the Torch Run?
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® is
Special Olympics' largest grass-roots fundraiser and
public awareness vehicle, raising $20.5 million annually.
At its most basic level, officers and athletes - the
Guardians of the Flame - run the Special Olympics
"Flame of Hope" to the Opening Ceremonies of
Special Olympics competitions. As a whole, the Torch Run
encompasses a variety of fundraising vehicles such as
donations or pledges for runners in the Torch Run, T-shirt
or merchandise sales, corporate donations and special
events.
Every two years, law enforcement officers make up a Final
Leg Team that carries the "Flame of Hope" to the
Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics World Games.
History
The Law Enforcement Torch Run®
began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard
LaMunyon conceived the Torch Run as a way to involve local
law enforcement personnel in the community and to support
Special Olympics Kansas. After three years of successful
Torch Runs in Kansas, Chief LaMunyon presented the program
to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).
With IACP's enthusiastic support and leadership, as well
as the involvement of all facets of the law enforcement
community - sheriff's associations, police unions, state,
county, municipal, military and federal law enforcement,
and correction officers - the Torch Run is now active in
35 countries around the world.
Montana
Law Enforcement Torch Run®
The Torch Run began in Montana in
1985. Since then, thousands of dollars have been raised
each year for Special Olympics Montana athletes! In 2007,
the Montana LETR raised over $270,000 for Montana's
athletes. This remarkable feat was accomplished through
the statewide torch run, special event fundraisers,
sponsorship pledges and Torch Run T-shirt sales.
The Montana
Torch Run begins at 10 points around the state to run the
"Flame of Hope" to the State Summer Games
Opening Ceremonies. Special Olympics Montana Athlete of
the Year, accompanied by law enforcement, ignites the
cauldron signaling the beginning of the Games. The
"Circle of Honor", representatives from
Montana's varied law enforcement agencies, salute the
Torchbearers as they carry the Torch through Opening
Ceremonies.
Besides the
Torch Run, law enforcement organize several special fund
raising events, including
-
Tip-A-Cop
-
Building/Billboard
Sit
-
Polar
Plunges
-
Jackpot
Roping
-
Fire
Truck Pulls
-
Poker
Run
-
World's
Largest Truck Convoy
-
LETR
T-Shirt and Hat sales across the state
The Montana
Police Protective Association has always been a strong
supporter of MT Torch Run. MPPA is the official State Premier Sponsor,
giving the association the recognition it richly deserves.
It is our hope that we maintain this relationship for many
years to come, as Torch Run for Special Olympics is Law
Enforcement’s “baby” worldwide.
Other
major statewide sponsors of the Torch Run are
There
are many more sponsors statewide who support MT LETR
Special Events. We could not reach our high goals
without the dedication of these sponsors, volunteers and
Montana's Law Enforcement personnel. Join us in
supporting Special Olympics Montana Athletes!
|
