2011 LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN

Wednesday, June 1 - Friday, June 3

The History

The Vermont LETR began in 1984 and has since grown to include runners from all over our state.  While LETR stands for "law enforcement" torch run, Vermont has received generous support from all aspects of public safety, including our dedicated fire departments, rescue squads, EMS and EMT's.  We think of this run as a Public Safety Torch Run. 

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon conceived the Torch Run as a way to involve local law enforcement personnel in the community and to support Special Olympics Kansas, LaMunyon presented the program to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).  With IACP's enthusiastic support and leadership, as well as the involvement of all facets of the law enforcement community - sheriff\'s associations, police unions, state, county, municipal, military and federal law enforcement, and corrections officers - the Torch Run is now active in countries around the world.

The Basics

At its most basic level, officers and athletes - the Guardians of the Flame - run the Special   Olympics "Flame of Hope" to the Opening Ceremonies of Special Olympics competitions.  As a whole, the Torch Run encompasses a variety of fundraising vehicles such as donations or pledges for runners in the Torch Run, T-shirt or merchandise sales, corporate donations and special events.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is Special Olympics’ largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle, raising $38.3 million for 3 million athletes around the world in 2010.

2011 Vermont Torch Run

The Vermont Torch Run consists of four relay-style legs that begin in the four corners of the state.  Over a three day period of time, runners relay the "Flame of Hope" to it's final destination to kick off the 2011 Special Olympics Vermont Summer Games. Brattleboro - Start: Wed. 5/1 at 8 a.m. Bennington - Start: Thurs. 5/2 at 7 a.m. Derby Line - Start: Thurs. 5/2 at 8 a.m. Highgate - Start: Fri. 5/3 at 8 a.m. All torches are carried to the Windjammer in South Burlington for the Final Leg BBQ and Celebration.  After a BBQ dinner and pool party, officers run the "Flame of Hope" up Williston Road to UVM and into Opening Ceremonies to kick off the Special Olympics Vermont Summer Games, beginning on Fri., June 3rd - Sunday, June 5th.   *If the torch does not currently go through your town or you'd like to change the route of your leg (through your town or county) please contact Special Olympics Vermont.

Department/Agency Invovlement

Special Olympics is the largest volunteer driven organization in the world and Special Olympics Vermont is no different!  We rely on the support of local law enforcement departments and agencies, as well as public safety departments to help support and run the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Officers from around Vermont have banded together to help form a successful Torch Run since 1984.  We hope you'll join us in 2011.  To get involved, please contact your department or regional coordinator.

*If no name is listed next to your department, please contact us to learn more about becoming involved.*

Runner Registration

Please fill out this runner registration form and contact your department coordinator or regional leg coordinator for more information.

No department or regional coordinator listed for your county or department?  Are you interested?  Please contact Special Olympics Vermont today!

T-Shirt Sales

Irving Oil and Circle K - "Fueling Dreams" - July 11th-August  2nd

How doIrving Oil ® and Circle K ® support Special Olympics?

Each year, Irving Oil ® generously donates a portion of proceeds from oil sales from participating state dealers to the athletes of Special Olympics Vermont, in conjunction with participating Circle K ® stores that sell car clings to raise additional funds.  This year the “Fueling Dreams” event will run from July 11^th-August 2^nd. 

To help with this exciting event, which raised over $18,000 for SOVT athletes in 2010, SOVT and Irving Oil ® are hosting the “To Serve and Protect”  Day.

What do I need to know about To Serve and Protect Day?

Date: Saturday, July 23^rd

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Location: Participating Irving and Circle K Stations (please see list - COMING SOON)

On TSP Day, local law enforcement officers join athletes from the area to help serve people who stop by during the day.  Law enforcement officers are asked to help pump gas, while athletes work alongside, washing windows and collecting donations for their local program.  Donations from this event help local programs buy the equipment and uniforms and help defray costs of training facilities throughout the year. 

This is a positive PR opportunity for your department and a wonderful way to meet some of the athletes who live in your town and in your county!

How can our department get involved?

With 17 locations throughout the state, more help than ever is needed!  Please look at the list and located a participating store near you .  Once you’ve selected a store, please fill out the “TSP Registration Form” and return it no later than June 20^th  to kbookless@vtso.org.

If there is not a participating store near you, please consider helping a smaller department cover their location.  For more information about this and other events, please call (802) 863-5222 x105

Fundraising Events

Tip A Cop

Through Tip A Cop, Law Enforcement and Public Safety Officers around the state help rasie money and awarness for Special Olympics Vermont.

The Basics - Officers meet at a pre-approved restaurant or diner on a specified date and help wait staff clear tables, pour drinks, serve, bus tables, etc.  An envelope is left on each table so diners may "tip" officers (always in addition to tipping waitstaff!) after the meal is over.  During service, officers should introduce themselves, briefly explain what Tip A Cop is and answer questions about Special Olympics Vermont as necessary. 

We are currently putting together a package of information so you can start your own Tip A Cop.  For more information until then, contact Derrick Kendrew, LETR Director.

Upcoming Tip A Cops:

• Tip A Cop for Mom  - Sunday, May 8th  - JP's Restaurant, Essex  Junction, VT
• Addison Co. Tip A Cop - Mid-May (TBD) - Rosie's Restaurant, Middlebury, VT
  
• Tip A Cop for Pop - Sunday, June 19th - JP'S Restaurant, Essex Junction, VT

Athlete Invovlement/Support & Medal Draping

Local Program Support through LETR Involvement

Are you interested in directly helping support athletes in your area?  With over 40 town, county and school based programs, there are many ways you and your department/agency can become involved.  Here are just a few ways you can help:

• Volunteer at a local or school practice
• Become a coach for your local program in one of 12 sports (soccer, bowling, alpine skiing, nordic skiing, snowboarding, snowshoe, basketball, athletics, aquatics, bocce, softball or golf)
• Host a "Department Tour" day - invite local program/school program athletes/partners in for a tour of your department or a demonstration (i.e. K-9 demonstration, fire truck demo, etc.)
• Do you have an idea we haven't listed - let us know about it!

Use this list to contact your local/school program coordinator and get involved today!

Medal Draping - Help reward our athletes for weeks of training and difficult competition!

Our athletes compete in 14 competitions in 12 different sports, throughout the year.  During each competition we host awards ceremonies to award our athletes for their hard work and achievements.  Our athletes look forward to receiving medals from their heroes - YOU!

Upcoming Medal Draping Opportunities:

• Spring Sports Weekend - Fri., April 29th - Sun., May 1st - University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
• Summer Games Weekend - Fri., June 3rd - Sun., June 5th - University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

If you would like to be a medal draper at an upcoming event, please contact Kim Bookless for more information.