HAYSVILLE OFFICERS RUN THE STREETS
Carry Torch to Support Special Olympics Athletes
Haysville KS.- It is expected that 1,175 officers from over 97 agencies will carry the “Flame of Hope” throughout 52 counties in Kansas as they travel to the annual Special Olympics Summer Games held in Maize. The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is a series of statewide runs which will travel approximately 1,312 miles throughout the state. Law Enforcement Officers, along with Leora Kennedy , member of Dodge City Dodgers Special Olympics in Dodge City, Most Inspirational Athlete of 2016, will light the cauldron to officially open the Summer Games in front of over 3,000 athletes, coaches and fans of Special Olympics Kansas on June 2nd.
Locally, the Haysville Police Department leg of the torch run route will be Wednesday, May 31st. The route of 1.5 miles and times:
1300 Hours Start at Haysville West Middle School (1956 W Grand Ave)
East on Grant Ave towards N. Main Street
1400 Hours End at City Hall (200 W Grant Ave) Parking lot, in front of Police Station
The public is encouraged to step outside their business or home and encourage the officers as they run. Celebrating their 36th anniversary, the Law Enforcement Torch Run began in Wichita, Kansas in 1981 with six runners and has grown to an international program involving thousands of Law Enforcement personnel, raising millions of dollars annually to benefit Special Olympics programs in the United States and abroad.
The Torch Run is the largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics Kansas. Officers volunteer hundreds of hours each year and in 2016 raised $501,122 in support of Special Olympics Kansas programs. This remarkable feat was accomplished by holding events and fundraising through the torch run, special event fundraisers (i.e. Polar Plunge, Truck Convoy, Tip-A-Cops, et.al), sponsorships and donations.
For information on the local run contact Officer Justin Jacks [email protected] or [email protected] 316.990.4970. Gary Steed, Executive Director of the Kansas Commission of Peace Officers’ Standard and Training, is the Honorary Chair of the LETR. Kalmar Industries, Premium Water and Amerigroup are Guardians of the Flame Sponsors. You can support the Torch Run by making a secure donation online at www.kansastorchrun.org or contact Luke Schulte at 620-408-4450.
