2019 year-end global financial results: Minnesota LETR places in the top 3!

Congratulations to the world-wide LETR movement for collectively raising $65,659,858 in 2019! Breaking the $65 million dollar mark was a tremendous milestone, and you should all be proud of your part in contributing to this win!   We were pleased to learn that Minnesota LETR placed among the top three programs: 2nd Largest Grossing Program (Titanium Award) 2nd Largest Net Increase ($773,000) 3rd Largest Net Results ($3.5 million)   We couldn’t have reached this milestone without you! All of your dedication and extra efforts allow our athletes to dream and participate in experiences they never imagined possible! Learn how the dollars you help raise make a difference in our athletes’ lives   HELP SPREAD THE WORD! We’re constantly updating our database so we can stay connected with all law enforcement partners. Our goal is to have a law enforcement representative at every agency within the state. This person would help spread information through our LETR e-blasts and other emails. Please follow up with Kean Corkery at kean.corkery@somn.org to confirm that your agency has a liaison and help us spread the word in your area.

Athlete Highlight: Dave Persons

My decision to become involved with LETR is based on volunteering at the Tip-a-Cop fundraisers and other events. Without the support of our law enforcement, Special Olympics Minnesota would not be as successful. The officers put in many hours during their weekends to help at all the state competitions, Plunges and other events.

Since volunteering and getting to know several LETR officers, I have learned more about their profession and have gotten to know them. I have a lot of respect for our officers. Their job is not the easiest at times, but they continue to serve and protect us and our communities. I’ve been given many opportunities over the years that have been highlights in my life such as:

Speaking at college-level law enforcement classes about SOMN; Sgt Rick Doll, with the Minneapolis Park Police, volunteered to be my Unified partner in bowling. We had a lot of fun and took home the silver both years! I have Plunged 159 times in the past ten years, including three Super Plunges! In 2019, I was honored to be selected as one of the LETR International Athletes and attended the LETR International Conference to accept the award.  Last year, I was voted onto our Minnesota LETR Executive Council. I’m looking forward to serving our LETR community in my new position.

Our LETR program has given me lots of opportunities to develop my leadership skills and meet new people. It’s become a second family to me—where I feel included and accepted!

Event Spotlight: 2021 Polar Plunge Plunge season is officially underway! Registrations are coming in for both in-person and virtual Plunges. Safety is always our main concern, and this year will be no exception to providing safe traditional Plunges for all our participants. Check out our updated website for a Plunge near you if you’re interested in volunteering.

Learn more about the 2021 Plunge

Guardian of the Flame: Sheriff's Office The Law Enforcement Torch Run Guardian of the Flame Award was created to recognize outstanding law enforcement agencies who have significantly contributed to the statewide success of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Minnesota. We're proud to announce that the recipient of the 2020 Guardian of the Flame Award is Scott County Sheriff’s Office! Their involvement with the Law Enforcement Torch Run started with several of their deputies taking part in the Shakopee and Savage portion of the Final Leg run, and they currently assist with every run event that occurs in the county. In 2009, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, led by Johnny K, played a major role in starting the Prior Lake Polar Plunge and continues to help plan and organize the event each year. Over the course of the last 10 years, the Prior Lake Polar Plunge has raised over $1,200,000 and involved over 6,100 Plungers.

Through Amy Lueck’s leadership, the Sheriff’s Office has become very involved in Tip-A-Cop events across the county. Wanting to be more involved, the Sheriff's Office organized Tip-A-Cop events in both Jordan and New Prague, and they continue to assist in two Tip-A-Cop events in Prior Lake. We can always count on them to volunteer if we have an event scheduled in their area.

We appreciate all the ways the Scott County Sheriff's Office helps to spread awareness and raise funds for Special Olympics Minnesota athletes!

LETR Highlight: Mike Shortreed Commander Mike Shortreed with the Maplewood Police Department is our newly-appointed LETR State Director. He and his agency are highly involved with Minnesota's LETR movement. Mike continually goes above and beyond in every capacity. He loves our athletes and is unselfish with his time. Mike leads by example and can always be counted on. When asked what the LETR movement has meant to him, he said:

“I first became involved in the Minnesota Law Enforcement Torch Run over 15 years ago when a supervisor asked me to attend an LETR kick-off event down in Apple Valley. Since that first kick-off event, many opportunities to volunteer and participate in events through Special Olympics Minnesota and the Minnesota Law Enforcement Torch Run have been presented to me and my department.

"The value that these opportunities have given to me is the awareness that I have been able to receive and present about people with intellectual disabilities, and how law enforcement can partner with them.”

How to get involved Check out our LETR website! We have information on all our LETR events, new recruitment presentations and handouts, information about open positions on our Executive Council and much more. To get further involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run, visit our website or contact Kean Corkery at kean.corkery@somn.org.

Visit the LETR website

Thank you for your commitment and support!

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