Featured LETR Supporter
Officer Jeff Smith
West Allis Police Department
For nearly 21 years, Jeff Smith has been an outstanding police officer in the West Allis area. And for just as long, he’s stood beside Special Olympics Wisconsin. When Smith first began his career in West Allis, he knew nothing about the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR), but quickly heard about it through coworkers at the Summer Games Softball Throw which is hosted by law enforcement volunteers.
According to Smith, the Torch Run is the “greatest thing there is.” He loves the excitement and the joy it brings to the athletes, saying “there is no feeling like when the athletes come running out and treat you like a rock star, all because of your uniform.” In two words, he describes the event as a: total blast.
One of Smith’s favorite moments over the years – and there are a lot of them – occurred when he handed out awards for the first time. “Seeing the athletes so proud of themselves and each other was so cool,” he says.
In all 21 years, Smith has only missed one Torch Run for his daughter’s high school graduation. In addition, he also serves on local and state committees, and is in charge of the Polar Plunge in Muskego. “Jeff has been extremely instrumental in the success of the Muskego and Bradford Beach Plunges,” Breitzman says.
Thank you, Jeff for your continued dedication to the LETR and Special Olympics Wisconsin!
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Law Enforcement Torch Run
For Special Olympics Wisconsin
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) raises funds and awareness for Special Olympics at a grass-roots level.
LETR Local Year-Round Events Calendar
Final Leg: June 3-4, 2009
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's Final Leg
During the Final Leg officers help carry the Flame of Hope™ from communities across Wisconsin to the State Summer Games in Stevens Point.
Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) participants who register
online can create a Web page and accept online credit card donations from supporters.
Featured Stories
What is the Law Enforcement Torch Run?
For those of you who have never been involved, you don’t know what you’re missing! The LETR is a global movement and was founded in 1981. In Wisconsin, events run year-round and include our Final Leg Run, which kicks off the State Summer Games each June; our eleven statewide Polar Plunges; various semi and truck pulls; motorcycle rides; raffles; other miscellaneous events and our newest statewide event, The World’s Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics Wisconsin.
The Torch Run is held in all 50 United States, 10 Canadian provinces and territories, and 35 nations, and involves more than 85,000 law enforcement participants from all over the world. In 2008, this international program raised a record $34 million to support Special Olympics.
Last year in Wisconsin, more than $1.5 million was raised through LETR events with nearly 1,000 registered participants representing more than 170 law enforcement agencies, making Wisconsin the sixth largest Torch Run program in the world!
Click
here to download a fact sheet for more information.
Order your 2009 Final Leg T-shirts today!
The 2009 LETR Final Leg T-shirts are $12 each. All proceeds benefit Special Olympics Athletes in your local area.
Nominations are due Friday, April 30, 2010
Download the nomination form
During the 2008 Convoy, 122 trucks participated and raised more than $100,000! More information.
This page is dedicated to our fellow Law Enforcement Torch Run volunteers who have
passed away. Visit the Fallen Heroes Web page.
The LETR State Committee is comprised of key law enforcement volunteers, Special Olympics Staff
and sponsors. The State Committee meets three times a year and makes major decisions
about the role and direction of the LETR in Wisconsin. View the committee member list.
The state LETR Recruitment Committee has developed a Microsoft Power Point
presentation that illustrates the powerful message of the Law Enforcement Torch
Run for Special Olympics Wisconsin. Download the Power Point presentation.
If you would like a copy that includes a 40 second PSA on slide two and music in
the background of the full show please contact Andy Dewitt at Andrew.Dewitt@wrps.org. Upon
completing a presentation, please complete the following form and return it to Julie
Buedding at the Program office. Download the presentation form.
Mission
The mission of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Wisconsin is to raise funds for and awareness of the Special Olympics movement. Special Olympics is a program which reaffirms our beliefs that with hope and dedication, we can see achievement and self-worth realized by any individual. It is our belief that persons with cognitive disabilities, by their involvement in Special Olympics, show the community at large there are no limits to human potential or the human spirit.
More information about the LETR for Special Olympics Wisconsin
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