Law Enforcement Torch Run

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is an international partnership between law enforcement personnel and Special Olympics.  More than 85,000 officers participated in the program in 2010 raising over $38 million around the world.  It is the ideal grass roots partnership that allows local officers to help raise awareness and funds that directly support the local Special Olympics Athletes in their communities.  As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of this amazing partnership in 2011, we do so knowing that the Flame of Hope continues to burn brighter and act as a beacon of hope and inspiration to all that carry it thanks to the tireless efforts of the LETR community.
 
We are especially proud of the amazing work being done here in Massachusetts.   LETR members raised $144,000 to support their local Athletes in 2010 and they enter 2011 with a passion and dedication to help individuals with intellectual disabilities live a healthier and happier life through the power of sport.

On Saturday, June 18th, more than a hundred cruisers, motorcycles and specialty vehicles will converge at the Harvard Athletic Complex as part of the 2011 Special Olympics Massachusetts Summer Games.  Officers from around the state will meet at different rally points on routes coming from the northern, western and southern parts of the state and convoy in together – lights and sirens going! – with a state police escort.  Once at Summer Games, officers head out to one of seven event venues to meet the competing Athletes, present medals and enjoy the day!  A celebratory BBQ caps the event where all officers receive the official Cruiser Convoy t-shirt.
 
Receiving a medal from a uniformed officer is one of the greatest highlights for the Athletes and a truly great experience for the officer as well.  Officer Erica Ireland of West Springfield PD said, "I enjoy handing out medals and ribbons to the Special Olympics athletes at the year round competitions and seeing their determination and enthusiasm.  In the hustle and bustle of our careers as law enforcement officers, we usually face the negative aspects of life in our communities.  By volunteering with the Law Enforcement Torch Run, we get the benefit of encouraging Special Olympic athletes and gaining a better understanding of the needs and concerns of those with intellectual disabilities.  I believe that my experience volunteering with the LETR has made me a better person and a more effective police officer!"
  
Click here to download the Cruiser Convoy registration form.

August 6th and 7th mark the 2nd annual Hoops and Heroes basketball tournament.  The event is hosted by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and presented by Nike!  Day one of the tournament will have 16 teams comprised of first responders hit the hardwood at Springfield College for a day of competition.  The top four teams will move on to Sunday and compete at Center Court at the Hall of Fame in the hopes of being crowned the Hoops and Heroes champion for 2011.
 
This has quickly become one of the most popular events on the LETR calendar thanks to the red carpet rolled out the Hall of Fame and Nike!  All event participants receive warm-up gear and sneakers from Nike, are invited to tour the Hall of Fame, partake in the Saturday evening festivities at the hosted hospitality reception, plus much more.  And to cap it off, the winning team receives a custom, hand-crafted trophy and 12 tickets to the 2011 enshrinement ceremony!
 
Check out the website at www.HoopsandHeroes.org and click here to view the event fact sheet.

Red Robin and Special Olympics just held a national promotion to help raise money for local chapters.  Here in Massachusetts the Red Robin locations in Foxboro, Wareham and Plymouth hosted officers from Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department and Foxboro PD, as well as dozens of Athletes, for a fun event called Tip-a-Cop.  Officers acted as celebrity members of the wait staff and worked for "tips" that were actually donations to support Special Olympics Massachusetts.  Liisa Budge-Johnson of the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department said, "The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department was happy to participate in their first Red Robin Special Olympics Tip a Cop Fundraiser.  Ten of our deputies took part in this event, where they were divided between the Plymouth and Wareham stores.  The deputies were teamed up with Special Olympians to help the wait staff at the Red Robins with their duties.  The event was a great success, with over $3,000 being raised for the Law Enforcement Torch Run.  The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department looks forward to making this an annual event."