Torch Run 2017

June 12, 2017 – Officers from 100 police departments from around the state fired up their lights and sirens and got rolling Saturday, June 10, to show their commitment to the Massachusetts Special Olympics. Convoys originating at multiple points throughout Massachusetts converged at the Harvard University athletics fields, home of the Massachusetts Special Olympics Summer Games.

TransCOR once again served coffee and doughnuts to the officers in the North Shore officers before their departure from Danvers, MA. This is the tenth year of the Torch Run Cruiser Convoy event, which shows support for the athletes from those in uniform – and even helps transport some of them to the events.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is a year-round fundraising and awareness building program, designed to allow members of the law enforcement community the opportunity to support Special Olympics athletes who live, work and compete in their local communities. In Massachusetts more than 1,000 members of the state’s Law Enforcement community participate in events organized through the LETR program, raising over $505,000 in 2016.

The concept of the Cruiser Convoy started here in Massachusetts and takes place every June in conjunction with the Massachusetts Special Olympics Summer Games. Police vehicles start from three points across the state, representing the north, south and west. The three caravans then converge at Boston College Law School in Newton before continuing on to the Harvard Athletic Facilities in Allston, as one final line of cars, lights and sirens pulls into Summer Games in recognition of the accomplishments of the athletes. The officers then share in the joy and privilege of awarding medals and ribbons to the athletes at the six different competition venues at the game.

Since 1981, when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to increase awareness of Special Olympics, members of law enforcement have been bestowed the honor and responsibility of being the Guardians of the Flame®. What began simply as escorting the Flame of Hope on its journey across the state to the Opening Ceremonies of Summer Games, Winter Games and all other athletic competitions, turned into one of the largest grassroots fundraising programs in the organization. Today the LETR program is growing at an incredible rate, with all 50 states and more than 35 countries actively participating in the program. 2014 saw 85,000 members of law enforcement help to raise over $50 million for Special Olympics programs worldwide.