Law Enforcement Torch Run®

What is the Law Enforcement Torch Run®?
The mission of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® in partnership with our communities is to support Special Olympics Colorado Programs through raising funds and public awareness, while enhancing the quality of life of our athletes.

The History: The Law Enforcement Torch Run® began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw a need to raise awareness of and funds for Special Olympics. He conceived the idea of the Torch Run as a way to involve local law enforcement with their communities and Special Olympics, by running the torch in intra-state relays that converge at their local Summer Games.

Today: Celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2006, the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics is the movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. The Torch Run raised $21.4 million for Special Olympics Programs around the world in 2005. More than 85,000 law enforcement officers carried the Flame of Hope across 35 nations, raising awareness and funds for Special Olympics. Thousands more supported the runners’ efforts through “Adopt-A-Cop” runner sponsorships, local fundraising events, corporate sponsorships and Torch Run T-shirts (more than 400,000 sold) and other merchandise sales to fellow law enforcement officers, families, friends and the public.

Colorado: Law enforcement personnel from Federal, Military, State, County and Local agencies participate in the Torch Run campaign. Funds are raised through a variety of activities and fund raisers, with the highlight being the 1,500-mile statewide run culminating at the Special Olympics Colorado Summer Games in Greeley in June.

How is the Law Enforcement Torch Run Organized?
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® is more than just a run. It is a year round fund-raising organization that culminates at the Summer Games in June with the Final Leg. There are various ways an agency can be involved in the Torch Run organization. Here in Colorado, Law Enforcement Torch Run® activities are organized statewide. Any agency can work with the Special Olympics Colorado representative to coordinate many different activities.

"More Than Just a Run"
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is "more than just a run." Law Enforcement Torch Run® serves as an umbrella to various fundraising activities. Those activities include:

• Tip-A-Cop:This unique event gives law enforcement personnel an opportunity to trade in their handcuffs and badges for an apron and serving tray. Law enforcement act as celebrity waiters, collecting tips to benefit Special Olympics Colorado.
• Cop-On-A-Roof: An event in which law enforcement personnel sit on the roof of a well-known location or store until the community donates a pre-determined amount of money to the LETR.
• Medallion Campaign: An annual event organized by Colorado's law enforcement in which retail stores statewide sell paper medallion icons to raise funds for Special Olympics Colorado.
• Plane/Train/Truck Pulls: An event in which teams compromised primarily of law enforcement personnel compete against each other to pull a fire truck a 12-foot distance in the shortest amount of time.
  
• Bail-outs
• T-Shirt Sales
• Pledges for Running
• Sponsorship
• Dunk-A-Cop

Interested in setting up your very own personal fundraising page to accept donations on line?  Click here to learn how.  Ready to create your page?  Click here.

Click here to see a list of upcoming LETR events in your community.

The activities listed above are not all! An agency can be as creative as they want in organizing activities to raise funds. If you are a new agency, you should start with T-shirt Sales and "Tip-A-Cops." Those activities are the easiest to start. Interested in getting involved? Click here to learn more.

The Run Itself:
The actual Run takes place in the days leading up to Special Olympics Colorado Summer Games and occurs over a two week time period. The Torch Run currently has several starting points which are changeable as the Torch Run grows. All officers who are involved in the Torch Run are invited to attend the Summer Games.

Interested in joining the Torch Run? Click here for route logistics and information.

For more information about the Law Enforcement Torch Run please contact:
Sarah Traut, Special Events and LETR Manager
720-359-3112
Email

For more information about sponsorships, special events and fundraising, please contact our development department:

Claire E. Simmons, Vice President of Development
Phone: 720-359-3110                  
Email

Mac Macsovits, Development Director
Phone: 720-359-3109
Email

2008 LETR Sponsors