Agencies Gear Up for Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run

The Paulding County Marshal Bureau, and Hiram Police are gearing up for their annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the Special Olympics of Georgia.

The LETR, since its founding in 1981 by Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon, has grown to be the largest grassroots fundraising program for Special Olympics. With this event, law enforcement officers are provided an opportunity to volunteer with Special Olympics programs within the community.

LETR involves hundreds of law enforcement officers from agencies throughout the state who take part in a 1,000-mile, two-week torch relay to pass the Special Olympics Georgia “Flame of Hope” across the state. All nine of the relays converge at Emory University in Atlanta during the State Summer Games Opening Ceremony.

As of today, all 50 states and over 40 countries do their own torch run just like the one held here in Georgia. The International Association of Chiefs of Police has also endorsed the Special Olympics as its official charity with the Torch Run.

“We are in the process of coordinating new events to be held in Paulding to help raise funds for the 2011 run in May”, said Leslie Ashworth of the Paulding County Marshal Bureau. “We hope to get the community more involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run.”

There are many fundraisers that the agencies participate in to raise funds. Last year some of the events included “Cuffed for a Cause” and “Tip a Cop.” Many of these events will be held again this year and all proceeds will benefit Special Olympics of Georgia. LETR merchandise is currently available for purchase, including T-shirts, hats, poker chips and lapel pins.

All money raised will go to SOGA to help send an athlete to Atlanta to participate in the summer games. The cost is about $125-150 per athlete.

Volunteers are welcome to help with the events and with fundraising. The LETR committee welcomes anyone who would help raise awareness and funds throughout the community. According to the LETR committee, there are a lot of events being planned over the next few months and volunteers are always needed. 

Last year’s torch run began at Stars and Strikes in Hiram and the team plans to begin there again this year. Each year a Special Olympic athlete from Paulding County is asked to run with the officers. According to Ashworth, having an athlete participate makes this run extra special and is something that all participants and volunteers look forward to.

The final date for the run here in Paulding County will be set later this month and all updates on events and fundraising activities will be posted on the Marshal Bureau page at www.paulding.gov or by visiting the Special Olympics official website.

To make monetary donations, purchase merchandise or to volunteer, contact Leslie Ashworth with the Paulding County Marshal Bureau at lashworth@paulding.gov or 770-443-9768.

If there are families who want to be involved in the Special Olympics in Paulding, contact Marianne Bishop at mariannebishop@bellsouth.net or 770-445-5477.