Latest news with #LETR
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Flame of Hope' to stop in Hampden County ahead of Special Olympics summer games
LUDLOW, Mass. (WWLP) – The 'Flame of Hope' is making its way across Massachusetts this week as part of the Special Olympics Massachusetts Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Statewide Final Leg, with a special stop at the Hampden County Sheriff's Office. From Monday to Friday, law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes are carrying the symbolic torch throughout the Commonwealth to raise awareness and build excitement for the 2025 Special Olympics Massachusetts Summer Games, taking place June 6-8 at Harvard University. Springfield Police Department marks fifth anniversary of body-worn camera program Now in its third year, the Statewide Final Leg honors athletes from across Massachusetts and recognizes the law enforcement officers who support them. Known as the 'Guardians of the Flame,' officers participating in the run represent their counties and help carry the Special Olympics torch to the Summer Games' opening ceremonies. 'Supporting the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics is more than a tradition for us—it's a privilege and a promise,' said Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi. 'It's a promise to stand behind these incredible athletes and to champion a more inclusive and compassionate community. We're proud to carry the Flame of Hope and to show our commitment not just in words, but in action.' Employees of the Hampden County Sheriff's Office will gather outside the facility on Wednesday morning to welcome the Final Leg Team and show their support for the athletes and the values of inclusion and community that the Special Olympics represents. This year's Final Leg team includes 13 participants–10 from law enforcement agencies across the state and three Special Olympics athletes. Among them are two members of the Hampden County Sheriff's Office: Cheri Burton, Hampden County Sheriff's Office Dana Delorenzo, Transit Police Patrick Dooney, Hampden County Sheriff's Office Larry Jedrey, Everett Police Dianne Kirkpatrick, UMass Boston Police Chris Liacos, Gloucester Police Trista Manchuso, Maynard Police Ryan Maxfield, Brandeis University Police Allison McCann, Maynard Police The team also includes these Special Olympics Massachusetts athletes: Dee Cotter, LIFE Cape Cod Anne DeForge, Springfield Ben Regazzo, Mansfield The LETR Final Leg serves as the culmination of year-long Special Olympics events and symbolizes the unified spirit of inclusion, teamwork, and community that defines the Games. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Clay County Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics held early in May
The Clay County Sheriff's Office will be hosting the 2025 Clay County Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics early in May. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The event, held on Friday, May 2 at 9 am, aims to 'champion acceptance and inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities' through the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR). To participate, purchase a 2025 LETR at the address below. Shirts are ona first come, first serve basis. Watch the video below to learn more about the LETR and the upcoming event. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
First Polar Plunge takes place on USAO campus
Students, law enforcement, and more gathered at the University of Science and Arts Oklahoma last weekend to plunge into cold water to help raise money for Special Olympics Oklahoma. The Chickasha Polar Plunge on Feb. 10 was the first plunge on USAO's campus, according to Chickasha Police Department's Assistant Chief Daimon Alexander. The event was sponsored by the Chickasha Police Department and the USAO's National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association. According to Elena Shepherd, president of USAO's NSSLHA chapter, the organization was looking for a service project and reached out to local law enforcement offices to partner with. The organization learned about the Law Enforcement Torch Run, a grass-roots fundraising movement that started in 1981 and is comprised of law enforcement officers raising money for Special Olympics. Alexander is a representative for the Southwest Oklahoma region of LETR and has been involved with LETR and the Polar Plunge in the early 1990s, largely in the Oklahoma City area before taking the assistant chief job in Chickasha. ' My job is to try to encourage officers to get out and help raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Oklahoma,' Alexander said. 'And that's what we were doing here in Chickasha last weekend.' Alexander plunged into the freezing cold water in his police uniform and said a couple of off-duty officers and a Chickasha firefighter also participated, along with USAO students and local residents. 'I felt like we had a great turnout,' he said. 'The crowd was small but very fiery and excited. They showed a lot of enthusiasm.' Shepherd said she felt the turnout for the event was better than expected, considering it was the event's first year. Around 15 people took the plunge, which involves raising a minimum of $75, and between 40-50 people were in attendance. Just under $3,000 was raised for Special Olympics Oklahoma during the Chickasha Polar Plunge and Shepherd and Alexander said they both plan to make this an annual event. ' I plan to make it a challenge to surrounding agencies for next year and try to get the involvement from some of the other law enforcement departments, police departments in Grady County,' Alexander said.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'It was cold! But it was for a good cause,': Hundreds of brave Michiganders plunge into cold water for Special Olympics Michigan
CLARK LAKE, Mich.(WLNS)—Hundreds of Michiganders participated in a polar plunge to raise donations for the Special Olympics. Many Mid-Michiganders plunged into the blistering cold waters of Clark Lake Saturday afternoon, not just for fun, but to help raise money for the Special Olympics Michigan. The event was hosted by the Michigan Law Enforcement Torch Run. Lisa Hendricks, Executive Director for the Michigan Law Enforcement Torch Run, says that over 300 people came to support the athletes. 'The LETR raises money for their housing and medals. Their food when they go to games so there isn't a cost for them when they're at the games,' said Hendricks. The organization has raised $64,00. Last year their goal was $50,000. Organizers say the funds will support around 20,000 Special Olympics Michigan Athletes. Cayce Collier, a Special Olympics Athlete, says he didn't expect such a huge turnout. 'It's really nice to know there's so many people are out there supporting us, and making that we can get the equipment we need,' said Collier. 'Go to the games, 'cause it all costs money, and all that has to come from somewhere.' Kelly Collier, Cayce's mom says it was her first time participating in the plunge. 'It was cold! But it was for a good cause,' said Kelly Collier. Kelsey Zoli, a participant, says she did the plunge with her soccer team. 'You jump in. You get shocked for a second and you're out,' said Zoli. 'You raise money for a great organization. The Special Olympics.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
