Heroes Helping Heroes Press Release March 19, 2008
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run (SCLETR) supports Special Olympics year-round programs by raising funds to support our mission while also building public awareness of the Special Olympics Movement and generating good will for law enforcement throughout the state.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 when Wichita Kansas Police Chief, Richard LaMunyon, saw a need to raise awareness of and funds for Special Olympics. His idea consisted of having local law enforcement officials run the Special Olympics torch, the Flame of Hope, in intra-state relays converging at the opening ceremony of their state’s Summer Games. The Torch Run was quickly adopted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), now recognized as the founding law enforcement organization of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics;
Now a global event, all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and over 30 countries participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, generating over $18,000,000 annually. Since its inception in 1981, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised over $120,000,000 worldwide.
 The Law Enforcement Torch Run in South Carolina is the fastest growing fund raiser for Special Olympics. Law Enforcement personnel from federal, military, state, county and local agencies participate in the run and other events each year. In addition to raising valuable funds, the partnership between Special Olympics and the law enforcement community builds public support of the Special Olympics mission in every local community ensuring the success of the organization and each athlete involved.
The Torch Run is lucky to have CARQUEST Auto Parts, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, as its Premier International Partner.
Since 1998, CARQUEST has raised more than $5 million in cash for Special Olympics. CARQUEST first teamed up with the Torch Run in 2001 to help support Special Olympics athletes in the United States and Eastern Canada. Since then CARQUEST has raised money in the form of corporate donations and local special events to help the Torch Run raise awareness for Special Olympics.
 In addition to its monetary contributions, CARQUEST has also assisted with a public awareness campaign which includes tagging all its radio and television commercials with the Torch Run logo and introducing into its fleet 1,000 special-edition delivery trucks prominently displaying the Torch Run logo.
Visit the CARQUEST Web site to find the CARQUEST location nearest you.
Corporate support is a crucial component to the success of the LETR and Special Olympics. These resources provide over 15,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to succeed in sports and in life. Members of the corporate community commit their resources—in financial, in-kind and employee volunteerism—and they are partnering with a movement dedicated to improving the lives of our athletes, their families and their community. Additionally, they are supporting the law enforcement community throughout the state, committing to an organization whose mission is to protect and serve the communities in which we live and work.
While Special Olympics SC proudly serves 15,500 athletes in our programs, there still are over 100,000 people in the state of South Carolina who are eligible to participate in Special Olympics. Your support will help us reach them.
For more information, or to get involved today, please contact Connie Grandmason, Vice President, Development and Donor Management at 803.772-1555, x 301, email: djacobs@so-sc.org.
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