Torch Run Newsletter                                            March 2017
Athlete Profile:
Dennis Gaul



This months feature profile is Special Olympics Athlete Dennis Gaul.  Dennis officially opened the 2017 Provincial Torch Run Workshop with his amazing rendition of O Canada.

Dennis has been a Special Olympics athlete for 11 years.  He is an avid golfer, skier, soccer player and swimmer. In 2011 Dennis won a Gold medal in at the Special Olympics Provincial Winter Games in Thunder Bay, Ontario. They had extreme weather in Thunder Bay and some outdoor events were canceled. Dennis, however, was determined to compete and went on to win a gold medal in slalom.  The next year Dennis competed at the Special Olympics National Winter Games in St. Albert, Alberta.  He won two gold medals. Dennis will also be attending the upcoming 2017 Summer Provincial Games in Soccer.  Dennis also enjoys Reading, playing guitar and ukulele, cooking, and playing games.  His hero is Terry Fox.
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   WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING
Torch Run Ontario Celebrates 30 Years


With the endorsement of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, the first Law Enforcement Torch Run in Ontario was held in 1987 under the guidance of Cst. Lorne White (Toronto Police) and generated $100,000 in funds.   We proudly enter our 30th Anniversary with over $40 MILLION raised for Special Olympics including a record $1.9 MILLION in 2016.

The success and support of the Law Enforcement Torch Run over the years has been unprecedented. Since the Torch Run began its partnership with Special Olympics Ontario, the number of registered athletes has grown from under 4,000 to greater than 22,000 athletes today.  As a result, SOO can essentially look into the future with security and recognize that it is possible to continue to expand its services to the increasing number of athletes.

Click HERE to view the 'Torch Run 101' slideshow as presented by (Ret) Sgt. Mike McAllister as presented at the 2017 Torch Run Workshop which highlights the history and success of the movement.

30th Anniversary Torch Run T-Shirts Now Available
Provincial Awards Presented at Workshop

Congratulations to the follow recipients who were presented with their respective awards at the 2017 Provincial Torch Run Workshop in January.

Left to Right:  S/Sgt Kevin MacBean (Peel Regional Police), D/Chief Brian Adams (Peel       Regional Police), Keith Nutley (Thunder Bay MNR), Chief Al Frederick (Windsor Police)

Rising Flame Award
This Rising Flame award is to recognize an individual who shows exceptional promise of leadership and continued contribution to the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Diana Cole, Ontario Provincial Police
Andrea McInnis, Thunder Bay Police Service
Rachel Rudolph, York Regional Police Service
Sarah Dereski, Probation & Parole
Matthew Hutchinson, Peel Regional Police
Jana Waghorn, Owen Sound Police Service
Kellie Walker, Southwest Detention Centre
Silvano Bertoni,  Ontario Provincial Police
 
Top Zone Fundraiser (Department)
This recognition level will be awarded annually to the service or department within each zone with the highest fundraising total during the previous year. 
 
Zone 1: Thunder Bay Police Service
Zone 1a: Greater Sudbury Police Service
Zone 2: Kingston Police Force
Zone 3: York Regional Police Service
Zone 3a: Toronto Police Service
Zone 4: Ontario Correctional Services College
Zone 5: Guelph Police Service
Zone 6: Essex County OPP
 
Highest Percentage Increase in Gross Revenue
This award criteria honours those Services/Agencies who have had the highest percentage increase in revenue over their previous years total. 

1. Ministry of Natural Resources (Thunder Bay)
2. Correctional Services of Canada (Guelph Parole)
3. Hanover Police Service
4. Cornwall Community Police Service
5. Niagara Detention Centre

14 Polar Plunges Complete - 2 Remaining!


We have completed 14 Polar Plunges since January and have raised over $305,000 with 2 more Plunges remaining!  Visit www.polarplunge.ca for all results and totals.

SHERIDAN COLLEGE - MARCH 23, 2017
 
  

OWEN SOUND - APRIL 1, 2017
 



 


2017 Polar Plunge Total will be announce in early April.  Thank you for 
#FreezinForaReason 
 UPCOMING EVENTS
Torch Ride for Special Olympics - 5th Anniversary!

What started as 3 community motorcycle rides in 2013 has blossomed into a provincial Torch Ride program which has raised over $350,000 in 4 years! Check out our awesome new Torch Ride website below and join one of our Rides across the Province this summer!


Interested in hosting a Ride this year?  Please contact the Torch Run Manager
Volunteer Mall Tolls - Easter Weekend

Each year, Law Enforcement personnel and Special Olympics athletes participate in Volunteer Mall Tolls at shopping centres across the Province, traditionally on Saturday of Easter Weekend, and annually raised over $120,000 in one day for Special Olympics.  



Please contact the Torch Run Manager if you are interested in hosting a Volunteer Mall Toll in your community!
Torch Run Fiscal Year-End Reminder - June 30th



Please make an effort to submit all outstanding funds to Head Office before the fiscal year end date of: June 30, 2017.  It is imperative for our year-end totals and all recogntion programs that the current years fundraising events be processed before the end of June - thank you for your help in this matter!

All funds can be sent too:

ATTN: Cody Jansma
OLETR for Special Olympics
65 Overlea Blvd, Suite 200
Toronto, ON
M4H 1P1 
  SAVE THE DATE
Provincial Summer Games Final Leg
July 13, 2017
Registration Opens: May 1st, 2017 
Peel Region

Muddy Grape - Niagara

Race for Plunkett - York
May 24, 1017 

Muddy Grape - Guelph

Hell in the Harbour - Hamilton
August 5, 2017
Guardians Half Marathon/5km - Orillia
October 15, 2017
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