Law Enforcement Torch Run
Encyclopedia
The Law Enforcement Torch Run Campaign to benefit the Special Olympics
began in 1981 in Wichita, Kansas
and is the largest grass-roots fundraising movement for the Special Olympics.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run, or LETR as it is commonly abbreviated, is run by Police Officers, Sheriff's Deputies, support staff, police volunteers and other law enforcement professionals from around the world.
Currently, close to 90,000 police professionals in over 35 countries participate in this worldwide effort to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics. Recently, the LETR has grown as a movement in several Latin American countries and is spreading to China
.
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".
To the left: Tip-a-cop, where local LEO's pair up with a restaurant to raise funds for special Olympics. Officers and Deputies will serve food and bus tables in uniform. Patrons will then give a donation to Special Olympics. The restaurant will also give a portion of the days take to the fund. Note this is a Claim Jumper
Restaurant, a chain that has chosen to support "Tip a Cop".
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 isn't limited to), Tip-a-Cop events, Car Washes, Polar Bear 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 a final leg run, law enforcement, together with Special Olympic athletes run the Flame of Hope
together 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. In 2007, the Summer World games will be held in Shanghai, China.
Every year, members of the LETR converge at the International LETR conference to exchange ideas, and network about Special Olympics
awareness and fundraising techniques. In 2007, this conference will be held in Oklahoma
.
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.
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 3.1 million athletes in 175 countries....
began in 1981 in Wichita, Kansas
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
and is the largest grass-roots fundraising movement for the Special Olympics.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run, or LETR as it is commonly abbreviated, is run by Police Officers, Sheriff's Deputies, support staff, police volunteers and other law enforcement professionals from around the world.
Currently, close to 90,000 police professionals in over 35 countries participate in this worldwide effort to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics. Recently, the LETR has grown as a movement in several Latin American countries and is spreading to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Similar in many ways to the Olympic Torch Relay
Olympic Flame
The Olympic Flame or Olympic Torch is a symbol of the Olympic Games. Commemorating the theft of fire from the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus, its origins lie in ancient Greece, where a fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics. The fire was reintroduced at the 1928...
, 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".
To the left: Tip-a-cop, where local LEO's pair up with a restaurant to raise funds for special Olympics. Officers and Deputies will serve food and bus tables in uniform. Patrons will then give a donation to Special Olympics. The restaurant will also give a portion of the days take to the fund. Note this is a Claim Jumper
Claim Jumper
Claim Jumper is a restaurant chain headquartered in Irvine, California with 45 locations in Arizona, California, Illinois, Colorado, Nevada, Washington, Wisconsin and Oregon. Founder Craig Nickoloff opened the first Claim Jumper Restaurant in Los Alamitos, California in 1977...
Restaurant, a chain that has chosen to support "Tip a Cop".
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 isn't limited to), Tip-a-Cop events, Car Washes, Polar Bear Plunges, Roof Sits, Motorcycle Runs, Online Fundraising, T-shirt and Hat sales, Media Events, and more.
Every two years, the Special Olympics World Games
Special Olympics World Games
The Special Olympics World Games are an international sporting competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities, organized by Special Olympics....
are held. This brings about a special torch run called the "Final Leg Run." During a final leg run, law enforcement, together with Special Olympic athletes run the Flame of Hope
Flame of Hope
The Flame of Hope can refer to one of two symbolic flames. One is affiliated with Dr. Frederick Banting and the other with the Special Olympics.-Dr. Frederick Banting:...
together 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. In 2007, the Summer World games will be held in Shanghai, China.
Every year, members of the LETR converge at the International LETR conference to exchange ideas, and network about Special Olympics
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 3.1 million athletes in 175 countries....
awareness and fundraising techniques. In 2007, this conference will be held in Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
.
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.