What is the Torch Run?

How does it work?

What is the history?

How can I get involved?

What are the benefits?

Who can I contact for more information?

2011 Fall Festival Torch Run - Friday, November 4th

"Be a Fan" Torch Run - June 7 to June 9, 2011

The inaugural Be A Fan Torch Run, presented by UPMC, covered 150 miles over 3-days from Pittsburgh to Penn State. Hundreds of runners representing forty law enforcement officers/teams from across the state participated by carrying the torch from home plate at PNC Park in Pittsburgh to home plate at Medlar Field in State College to celebrate the culmination of Special Olympics Pennsylvania's 40th anniversary!

The Be A Fan Torch Run, which raised $60,000, also served as a kick-off for the organization’s largest competition – the 2011 Summer Games in State College. The 3 day run ended with the lighting of the Flame of Hope during Opening Ceremonies.

What is the Torch Run?

The Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics unites officers from law enforcement agencies and corrections departments across the state in a year-round effort to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Pennsylvania.   The Torch Run efforts to raise funds include: collecting corporate sponsorships, T-shirt and hat donations, and hosting unique fundraising events such the Polar Plunge, Beaver Stadium Run and other fundraising events.

The Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Torch Run has the support of multiple Local Municipal Police Departments, the Office of the Attorney General, PA Chiefs of Police Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the PA Department of Corrections, the PA Sheriffs Association, the Pennsylvania State Police, the PA National Guard Counterdrug Program, and the Constables Association.

Read the Latest Issue of The Guardian: The Newsletter of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Executice Council

Link to Winter 2010 Issue

Link to Spring 2010 Issue

How does it work?

• Law Enforcement officers run one-to four- mile legs of a relay carrying the lighted Special Olympics Torch to the Opening Ceremonies of their Special Olympics Games.
• Participating officers and agencies raise funds through various fundraisers such as the Polar Plunge, Law & The Lion 5K and other fundraising events.

The public awareness which the Torch Run creates is just as important as the money it raises.  As a grass roots event involving well-known public figures, the Torch Run creates deserved recognition of the abilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities.  Local law enforcement officers sometimes run through extreme heat and vicious storms, and frequently set goals to run farther or faster than ever before as their personal contribution to the athletes.  Special Olympics athletes, many of whom compete in mainstream long-distance races and marathons, run alongside the officers.  Communities along the Torch Run route organize parades, award ceremonies and other special events to celebrate the arrival of the Torch.

The History

The Law Enforcement Torch Run, the largest grassroots fundraising program benefiting Special Olympics, began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to raise funds for and increase awareness.

The idea for the Torch Run was to provide local law enforcement officers with an opportunity to volunteer with Special Olympics in the communities where the officers lived and worked. After three years of successful runs in Kansas, Chief LaMunyon presented his idea to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, which endorsed Special Olympics as its official charity through the Torch Run.  Today, all 50 states and over 40 countries have their own versions of the Torch Run.

How Can Law Enforcement Officers Become More Involved in the Torch Run?

1. Encourage your fellow officers to participate in a local Torch Run. Run in a leg or start a new route through your area.
2. Encourage your fellow officers to participate in current special events and fundraisers in your area. Get a team together for your local golf tournament, Polar Plunges or any other fundraising event. Ask an athlete to be on your team.
3. Use Torch Run as a leadership training tool. By giving officers the opportunity to organize and run Torch Run events, you give them a chance to develop or enhance their leadership and management skills.
4. Adopt-An-Athlete programs give departments a personal relationship with one athlete and allow them as a group to track the athlete’s progress.
5. Invite athletes to speak at your department meetings. Through our Athlete Leadership Programs and Global Messenger initiative, SOPA trains athletes to be public speakers. Hearing an athlete speak will give officers a better understanding of Special Olympics.
6. Bring officers to local Special Olympics Games to award medals and see our athletes compete. Close personal contact with the athletes during a competition is the best way to motivate officers to become more involved in Special Olympics.
7. Encourage officers to become Unified Sports® Partners. Special Olympics Unified Sports brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to train and compete on the same teams.
8. Encourage officers to become coaches. Help Special Olympics athletes reach their potential through sports by teaching them the skills they need to compete and win.
9. Create a new Torch Run fundraiser in your area. Your imagination is the limit, but be sure to work with your local Special Olympics Program to incorporate appropriate themes and messages.

Benefits to the Law Enforcement Community

The many benefits of participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run are listed below:

1. The image of the law enforcement in many communities has been improved due to the involvement with the Torch Run and Special Olympics. Officers are seen as friends and people, rather than uniforms.
2. Working with Special Olympics through the Torch Run accomplishes many departments’ community policing goals by providing a helping hand outside their regular law enforcement duties.
3. Working with the Torch Run provides excellent positive media exposure through coverage of the Torch Run itself and the special fundraising events associated with Special Olympics.
4. Working with the Torch Run and for Special Olympics provides personal fulfillment as well as departmental team achievements.
5. Creating and managing fundraising events and public awareness campaigns for Special Olympics requires time management, attention to detail and organizational skills. Potential leaders within the department can be identified and encouraged to develop their leadership skills.
6. The Torch Run provides a common cause and bond for members of a department working shifts at various locations and times, and bonds officers with the larger brotherhood/sisterhood of law enforcement for a common cause.

Contact Us

For more information, please contact:

Demika Poole
Director of Special Projects
Special Olympics Pennsylvania
2570 Blvd. of the Generals
Suite 124
Norristown, PA 19403
(610) 630-9450 ext. 226
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Chief Dave Mettin Pennridge Regional Police Department                                                                             1027 Ridge Road Sellersville, PA 18960
Phone - 215-257-5104                                                                                                                        www.eastrockhilltownship.org/police.html