Worldwide Mission

The mission of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics is to raise funds for, and awareness of, the Special Olympics movement worldwide. Law enforcement officers and personnel from the 50 United States, 10 Canadian provinces and territories, and more than 35 nations carry the “Flame of Hope” in honor of Special Olympics athletes in their area and around the world.  Special Olympics is a program which reaffirms the beliefs that with the hope and dedication, we can see achievement and self-worth realized by any individual.  It is our belief that persons with intellectual disabilities, through their involvement in Special Olympics, show their communities there are no limits to their potential.  The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics through its fundraising efforts helps to provide for this opportunity, making the potential for every Special Olympics athlete come to life!

This international program continues to raise more than $20 million annually to support Special Olympics programs, and $150 million since the Torch Run’s inception in 1981. More than 80,000 law enforcement officers and personnel from thousands of agencies around the world have carried the “Flame of Hope” and are proudly referred to as the “Guardians of the Flame”.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics in the world. At its most basic level, the Torch Run is an actual running event in which officers and athletes run the “Flame of Hope” to the Opening Ceremonies of local Special Olympics competitions, state/provincial Games, and National and Summer and Winter Games.

At its most fully developed, the Torch Run initiative encompasses a variety of fundraising vehicles in addition to the Torch Run itself, such as T-shirt or merchandise sales, donations or pledges for runners in the Torch Run, corporate donations, special events such as Polar Bear Plunges, Tip-a-Cop and other events that have local appeal.

In Minnesota

In 2005 the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Minnesota involved more than 600 law enforcement officers and personnel representing more than 75 agencies throughout the state.  Their tremendous efforts raised more than $460,000 for Special Olympics Minnesota.  In 2006, participation across the state continues to increase not only in the Final Leg of the movement but with law enforcement taking the initiative to coordinate new special events/fundraisers such as Polar Bear Plunge and Tip-a-Cop.