The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is a campaign to benefit the Special Olympics. It began in 1981 in Wichita, Kansas, and is the largest grass-roots fundraising movement for the Special Olympics.
LETR is run by police officers, sheriff's deputies, correction officers, support staff, police volunteers and other law enforcement professionals from around the world. Close to 97,000 police professionals in over 45 countries participate in this worldwide effort to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics.[2] Participants in the LETR help spread the word about the benefits of Special Olympics and how the program helps define the brave participants of these programs as athletes, and not define them by their disabilities. Since its inception in 1981, LETR has raised $619,187,626.[3]
Similar in many ways to the Olympic Torch Relay, the Law Enforcement Torch Run consists of scheduled relay events, usually held in conjunction and coordination with Special Olympics functions (like the Special Olympics Summer and Winter Games). While carrying the flame, officers and athletes are referred to as "Guardians of the Flame". In the broader sense, the LETR is used to define all of the special events, and fundraising activities that law enforcement conducts to contribute to this campaign. This includes (but is not limited to), tip-a-cop events, car washes, Polar Plunges, roof sits, motorcycle runs, online fundraising, T-shirt and hat sales, media events, and more.
Every two years, the Special Olympics World Games are held. This brings about a special torch run called the Final Leg Run, during which, law enforcement, together with Special Olympic athletes, run the Flame of Hope throughout the host country for the games, spreading awareness for Special Olympics. This culminates with the lighting of the cauldron for the Flame of Hope at the opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics World Games.
Every year, members of the LETR converge at the International LETR conference to exchange ideas, and network about Special Olympics awareness and fundraising techniques.
Galleryedit
LETR Torch runners display the Flame of Hope at Niagara Falls, Canada Nov. '06.
Washington Special Olympic Athletes and Redmond Police Officer at a fundraising & awareness event
Special Olympics Missouri Torch Run Information Page
Special Olympics Montana Torch Run
Referencesedit
^"LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL". letr-council.org. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
^"LETR Information Sheet" (PDF). Retrieved October 27, 2016.
^"LETR Facts and Figures". Law Enforcement Torch Run. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
January 01, 1970
enforcement, torch, letr, campaign, benefit, special, olympics, began, 1981, wichita, kansas, largest, grass, roots, fundraising, movement, special, olympics, founded1981, years, 1981, founderchief, richard, lamunyonlocation1133, 19th, street, washington, 2003. The Law Enforcement Torch Run LETR is a campaign to benefit the Special Olympics It began in 1981 in Wichita Kansas and is the largest grass roots fundraising movement for the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch RunFounded1981 43 years ago 1981 FounderChief Richard LaMunyonLocation1133 19th Street N W Washington D C U S 20036OriginsWichita KansasArea servedInternationalKey peopleRichard LaMunyon chairman emeritus Scott Whyte chairman Mark Musso vice chairman 1 Websitewww wbr letr wbr org LETR is run by police officers sheriff s deputies correction officers support staff police volunteers and other law enforcement professionals from around the world Close to 97 000 police professionals in over 45 countries participate in this worldwide effort to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics 2 Participants in the LETR help spread the word about the benefits of Special Olympics and how the program helps define the brave participants of these programs as athletes and not define them by their disabilities Since its inception in 1981 LETR has raised 619 187 626 3 Similar in many ways to the Olympic Torch Relay the Law Enforcement Torch Run consists of scheduled relay events usually held in conjunction and coordination with Special Olympics functions like the Special Olympics Summer and Winter Games While carrying the flame officers and athletes are referred to as Guardians of the Flame In the broader sense the LETR is used to define all of the special events and fundraising activities that law enforcement conducts to contribute to this campaign This includes but is not limited to tip a cop events car washes Polar Plunges roof sits motorcycle runs online fundraising T shirt and hat sales media events and more Every two years the Special Olympics World Games are held This brings about a special torch run called the Final Leg Run during which law enforcement together with Special Olympic athletes run the Flame of Hope throughout the host country for the games spreading awareness for Special Olympics This culminates with the lighting of the cauldron for the Flame of Hope at the opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics World Games Every year members of the LETR converge at the International LETR conference to exchange ideas and network about Special Olympics awareness and fundraising techniques Gallery edit nbsp LETR Torch runners display the Flame of Hope at Niagara Falls Canada Nov 06 nbsp Washington Special Olympic Athletes and Redmond Police Officer at a fundraising amp awareness event nbsp A tip a cop event to benefit Special Olympics nbsp Officers go up on a rooftop of a local grocery store to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics nbsp Police Officers serve meals during a fundraising event See also editSpecial Olympics World Games Flame of Hope Olympic Games Special Olympics LETR Parent Website 2007 World Games Official Website Special Olympics Washington Special Olympics Missouri Torch Run Information Page Special Olympics Montana Torch RunReferences edit LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL letr council org Retrieved October 25 2016 LETR Information Sheet PDF Retrieved October 27 2016 LETR Facts and Figures Law Enforcement Torch Run Retrieved October 27 2016 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Law Enforcement Torch Run amp oldid 1199478181, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
