Marshfield Police Participate in Law Enforcement Torch Run

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Annual Run Supports Special Olympics

Members of Marshfield Police Department today joined in the 50th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics.

“I love the collaboration between the police department and the Special Olympics community,” said Chief Rick Gramza, Marshfield Police Department. “The athletes involved and the officers have such fun and enjoyment regardless of the reason for getting together. I hope we are as much of an influence on their lives as they are on ours.”

The mission of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) is to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement. LETR began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas, Police Chief Richard LaMunyon created the Torch Run. He thought the Torch Run would help law enforcement be active in the community and support Special Olympics Kansas. In 1983, Chief LaMunyon presented the program to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). They decided to endorse Torch Run and became the “Founding Law Enforcement Organization.”

With the IACP’s support, LETR became the movement’s largest public awareness and fundraising group for Special Olympics.

Known as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the “Flame of Hope” into Opening Ceremonies of local competitions. They also carry it into Special Olympics State, Provincial, National, Regional and World Games. There are over 97,000 law enforcement members that carry the “Flame of Hope” annually. The flame symbolizes courage and celebration of diversity uniting communities around the globe.

Torch Run has grown over the years and now includes many fundraising platforms. These platforms include: Plane Pulls, Polar Plunges, Tip-A-Cops, and more. Since the beginning, LETR has raised over $600 million for Special Olympics programs.

As retired Chief Richard LaMunyon once said, “What started in 1981…as a flicker of hope for Special Olympics has now become a roaring flame of stability for Special Olympics athletes worldwide.” LETR is changing the future for people with intellectual disabilities. Through the LETR and Special Olympics partnership we are lighting the way for acceptance and inclusion.

-Information provided by Special Olympics

News Desk
Author: News Desk