Event: Law Enforcement Torch Run
Location: Eugene & Springfield, Lane County, Oregon
Date/Time: June 29th, 2022 | 10:30 AM
More Information: Tiffany Monroe, Oregon LETR Executive Council Chair
Springfield Police Department
tmonroe@springfield-or.gov | 541-726-3721
Completed By: Zak Gosa-Lewis Springfield Police Department Public Information Coordinator

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
SPRINGFIELD, OR. – Law enforcement officers from agencies in the Eugene-Springfield area will begin running at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 29th, 2022 in support of the Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting Special Olympics Oregon (SOOR). Officers will be running through the streets of Springfield and Eugene carrying the torch with the Flame of Hope. Normally, the torch travels hundreds of miles throughout the state each year, this year, due to COVID, there is no statewide event. Local agencies are running to bring awareness to Special Olympics Oregon and the recent return to Special Olympics in-person activities.

Media is invited to cover all aspects of the event:
• Torch will leave Springfield Justice Center at 10:30 am
• SPD will join with EPD at approximately 11:00 am at the John Serbu Campus
• 11:30 am Valley River Center
• Interviews available with law enforcement
About the Law Enforcement Torch Run & Special Olympics Oregon:
Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is celebrating 36 years of supporting the participants of Special Olympics Oregon (SOOR). LETR seeks to spread the word about Special Olympics world-wide, championing acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities. As Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement officers and Special Olympics Oregon participants will carry the “Flame of Hope” across Oregon.

About Special Olympics Oregon
Special Olympics Oregon serves more than 13,000 participants with intellectual disabilities, the largest disability population in the state, year-round through the organization’s signature sports programs. Athletes gain self-confidence, social competency, and other life skills. They develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. For more info, please visit www.soor.org and engage with us on Social Media: Twitter & Facebook @SOORstate | Instagram @SOORstate.

About Law Enforcement Torch Run:
Law Enforcement Torch Run began in Wichita, Kansas, in 1981 when Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw a need to raise awareness of and funds for Special Olympics. He conceived the idea of the Torch Run to involve local law enforcement with Special Olympics and local communities by running the torch in intra-state relays that converge at Summer Games. Now a global event, all 50 states and more than 30 foreign countries participate in Law Enforcement Torch Run. In Oregon, more than 1,500 law enforcement personnel from federal, military, state, county, and local agencies participate in the year-round Torch Run campaign.