Express-Star
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Oklahoma City, OK. On Wednesday, May 9, men and women of law enforcement from around the state will join together and participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run to raise awareness for Special Olympics Oklahoma. Beginning at 8:00 a.m., the run starts at Oklahoma City Police Department and concludes at the State Capitol. Among those who will be present at the Capitol are Lt. Governor Todd Lamb, Attorney General E. Scott Pruitt, Oklahoma City Chief of Police Bill Citty, and Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel. Special Olympics Oklahoma Athletes will also be in attendance.
Later in the day on Wednesday, May 9, law enforcement from across the state will travel to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg. More than 100 law enforcement personnel will participate in the Final Leg on Hall of Fame. They will travel west to east on Hall of Fame beginning at 4:00 p.m. and concluding at 4:15 p.m. in front of the track on Hall of Fame. At 7:30 p.m. Law Enforcement personnel will assist with Special Olympics Oklahoma’s Summer Games Opening Ceremonies in Gallagher Iba Arena. Law Enforcement will provide security, will escort the Parade of Athletes and act as the official Guardians of the Flame. In additional law enforcement will provide entertainment during Opening Ceremonies with teams rappelling into Gallagher Iba.
“This is a great event for Special Olympics and will have a direct impact on the athletes who are working hard to achieve their goals of personal fulfillment through athletic competition,” stated Jennifer Lightle, Special Events Director, Special Olympics Oklahoma.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest grass-roots fund raiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics. Law enforcement officers from around the country carry the Flame of Hope in honor of the Special Olympic athletes in their areas and around the world. Since its inception in 1981, more than 80,000 individuals have raised $113 million.
Special Olympics Oklahoma
The Mission of Special Olympics is to provide a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with mental retardation and other closely related developmental disabilities. Today 9,500 Special Olympics Oklahoma athletes participate in more than 120 competitions and events every year. Competition is offered in 16 official sports. There are thousands of volunteer opportunities available. Visit http://www.sook.org/ or call 918-481-1234 for more information.
Law Enforcement Torch Run
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is an international charity made up of law enforcement agencies that raise money for Special Olympics. LETR was adopted as an official charity of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in 1981 and was begun in Oklahoma in 1986. The mission was simple: Carry the Flame of Hope to the State Summer Games. As the years passed, the mission grew to include fundraising and increasing public awareness of Special Olympics Oklahoma. Today, LETR is the guardian of the Flame of Hope for the Special Olympics Oklahoma Summer and Winter Games and actively raises money and public awareness. Visit http://www.sook.org/ to learn more.
