The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) campaign to benefit the Special Olympics 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, 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".
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 was 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.
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