LARNED – Members from local law enforcement will carry the Special Olympics Kansas Flame of Hope through the local streets of Larned for their annual Torch Run on Thursday. Pawnee County agencies are supporters of the Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run and encourage support of the movement.
For Larned, the Torch Run will start at 10:45 a.m. in Schnack Park, at First and Carroll. The run will proceed to Second Street and East to Santa Fe, then North on Santa Fe to Fourth Street. The route then turns east to Main and then north to the finish at the Pawnee County Courthouse at 7th and Main. Those not running are welcome to line the route and help cheer runners on. All of the money raised stays local to help provide programming and resources for Special Olympics Kansas athletes.
The mission of the Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics. In 2021, the Law Enforcement Torch Run raised over $442,000 for the state of Kansas.
“We couldn’t do what we do for our athletes without the assistance and devotion of law enforcement officers around the state,” Special Olympics Kansas Communications Coordinator Ally Speers said.
“Year after year we have the support of men and women of law enforcement who elevate Special Olympics Kansas within their communities,” Special Olympics President/CEO John Lair said. “Every year officers from local agencies, sheriff offices, campus police and the Highway Patrol give so much to this event and expect nothing in return.”
Additional runs will take place throughout the summer and fall in some communities. For a full list of upcoming events, visit https://ksso.org/help-to-fundraise/.
About the Torch Run
The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 with founder Wichita Police Chief Richard LaMunyon and five law enforcement officers carrying the torch for the Special Olympics Kansas Summer Games in Wichita. The LETR has since evolved to a volunteer partnership with Special Olympics to champion acceptance and inclusion. It has become a worldwide community of law enforcement officers rallying to support Special Olympics, the impetus for millions of new friendships around the world, and a series of events including Torch Runs, Polar Plunge fundraisers, and Tip-A-Cop events. The LETR is the largest grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics with more than 100,000 law enforcement participants around the world. Visit LETR.org for more information
