BACKGROUND

The mission of the Nevada Law Enforcement Torch Run in partnership with our communities to support Special Olympics Programs through raising funds and public awareness, while enhancing the quality of life of our athletes.

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. He conceived the idea of the Torch Run as a way to involve local law enforcement with their communities and Special Olympics, by running the torch in intra-state relays that converge at their local Summer Games.

Now a global event, all 50 states and over 35 foreign countries participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, generating over $13,000,000 annually. Since its inception in 1981, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised over $80,000,000 worldwide. It is the largest grass roots fundraising program and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics.

Over 500 members of law enforcement agencies from Federal, Military, State, County, local agencies and security forces participate in the Nevada Torch Run campaign. Funds are raised through a variety of activities, such as: Cops on Doughnut Shops, Tip-A-Cops, Courtesy Cops, Harley-Davidson Raffle, Mini Gran Prix, and T-Shirt Sales. In May, law enforcement personnel carry the "Flame of Hope" culminating at the Opening Ceremonies at the Summer Games in Las Vegas.

As one of the largest grassroots fundraising efforts, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has become the single largest supporter of the annual Special Olympics Nevada Summer Games.


EVENTS

Tip-A-Cop
Law Enforcement Personnel volunteer their time as "Celebrity Waiters" in restaurants throughout Nevada and receive "tips" to raise funds for Special Olympics. These officers work closely alongside the regular waitstaff, serving water and coffee, and acting as hosts..

Cops on Doughnut Shops
Law Enforcement Personnel volunteer their time as Doughnut Shop “Sitters” as they sit on the roof of a doughnut shop to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Nevada. Officers take to the roofs for a weekend where they will collect donations as they eat, sleep and play on the rooftops.

PARTICIPATION

Law Enforcement Personnel
If you're a law enforcement officer or civilian employee of an law enforcement agency, at any level, in any branch, you can participate in your local Law Enforcement Torch Run campaign. As a runner, ask a class, group or business to "Adopt" you and collect pledges to run in the leg nearest you. If you're not a runner, other fundraising options are open to you: Sell T-shirts, be a "celebrity waiter", or sit on a billboard - the fundraising possibilities are endless!

Buy a T-Shirt
For a $15.00 donation, receive a special edition Law Enforcement Torch Run T-Shirt.

Buy a Raffle Ticket
For a $20.00 donation, receive a chance to win a Harley-Davidson presented at the Annual Southwest Motorcycle Training and Competition.

Sponsorship
There are multiple levels of sponsorship available with benefits for local and Nevada-wide exposure. To date our Law Enforcement Torch Run has had 100% media participation at every event. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, both locally and Nevada-wide; please call: please call Special Olympics Nevada (702) 474-0690 ext. 205 or email amontano@sonv.org .

SCHEDULE

Below is the Nevada Law Enforcement Torch Run 2005 Events Schedule.

August
August 26	Cops & Lobsters	Red Lobster, 200 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas
August 26	Cops & Lobsters	Red Lobster, 570 Marks St., Henderson
August 26	Cops & Lobsters	Red Lobster, 2325 E Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas
August 26	Cops & Lobsters	Red Lobster, 3601 S. Virginia St., Reno
October
October 1	World's Largest Truck Convoy	Las Vegas

 
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