|
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
2009, the Montana LETR raised over $390,000 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 13 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
-
Fire Truck
Pulls
-
Poker Run
-
World's
Largest Truck Convoy
-
LETR T-Shirt
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 Law Enforcement
Agency 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.
Tim and Mary Barnard are the Premier Mission Sponsor.
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!
|
