October 2022 LETR Update | Special Olympics Minnesota

Athlete highlight: Kellen Kaasa

Kellen Kaasa has been active in Special Olympics since he was 8 years old for a total of 32 years—so far!

It started out as a way for Kellen to learn to swim. He has since gone on to participate in swimming, track & field, bowling, bocce and golf, which is his favorite. He loves to do the alternate shot format with his brother Devin. Together they have won numerous gold medals at state. Kellen won a bronze at National Games in 2006 with Devin as his caddy, and Devin and Kellen together have won gold and silver medals at National Invitational golf tournaments across the country.

Kellen has also gone through the Athlete Leadership training program. He has given numerous speeches over the years with either his mother or brother, promoting Special Olympics to groups like the Lions, U.S. Bank and the Southern MN Friendship Wagon Train. He also completed the Athletes as Volunteers training so he can help at events when he's not participating. He really enjoys representing SOMN at fundraising events where he can mingle and visit with people and discuss Special Olympics Minnesota.

Watch video about Kaasa family

Kellen started taking the Polar Plunge in 2006 when he was going to National Games in Ames, IA, and has participated ever since, some years several times. How many times, exactly? We lost count after 32!

Kellen would like to thank our law enforcement partners for their dedication to the communities they serve and for the support they give to Special Olympics Minnesota. They go out of their way to make our athletes feel special!

Bring a Tip-A-Cop to your community!

Looking for ways to support Special Olympics Minnesota? Plan a Tip-A-Cop event!

The Law Enforcement Torch Run offers a variety of ways for your agency to get involved with Special Olympics Minnesota (SOMN) and our athletes. A

Tip-A-Cop event is a great opportunity to engage your community, raise funds and spread awareness of SOMN's mission while supporting local businesses.

During a Tip-A-Cop event, officers serve as celebrity waiters at restaurants across Minnesota and donate all the tips they receive to SOMN.

"Tip-A-Cop events provide agencies with a uniquely wonderful opportunity to engage with the citizens and businesses located within their communities while partnering with Special Olympics Minnesota to support their programming and build relationships with athletes! Tip-A-Cop events are easy to plan and execute, and the memories will stick with you, your law enforcement and athlete partners and your communities for years to come!"

— Miranda S, Richfield PD officer

To plan a Tip-A-Cop, contact Emma Fiedler at emma.fiedler@somn.org.

Thank you for your commitment and support!

LETR highlight: Dave Lange

“Sheriff Lange is so great to work with! He could organize/run the Plunge with his eyes closed at this point and does everything he can to make it a fun and safe day. He’s always willing to help with any events that come up in the area and help Special Olympics where he can. We are very lucky he said yes to helping out to start the Plunge!”

— Molly Egan, SOMN staff member

My involvement with Special Olympics Minnesota is specific to the Polar Plunge. Seventeen years ago, a local businessman stopped in saying, "Sheriff, you should organize this." At that time, it was too late in the year. However, the next year he again came in early and the rest is history.

I became the organizer of the St. Peter Plunge which has definitely grown since that first year. I have told staff at Special Olympics Minnesota that I would continue to organize the Polar Plunge as long as I am Sheriff.

Also, for the last couple of years I have participated in the Cop on a Rooftop event at our local Dunkin’ store.

I enjoy the Polar Plunge event. We have raised over $1.2 million for Special Olympics Minnesota, and I feel it is a worthy cause!

2023 Polar Plunge

We’re looking forward to the 2023 Plunge season! All of your favorite locations are back starting the last weekend of January through next spring. This is another great event that brings together many of our law enforcement partners, Special Olympics Minnesota athletes and our communities. We can always use your help, so please consider signing up at plungemn.org!

Events recap

Many events have taken place over the last two months. Our LETR staff, agencies, and officers have been working hard at the following events to promote inclusion and raise funds for our Special Olympics athletes:

Dunkin': 19 locations throughout the state raised $32,000

Maplewood LETR golf tournament: 100 participants raised $32,000

Charlie's on Prior Lake Tip-A-Cop: A grand total of $5,700 raised—the largest Tip-A-Cop amount in recent memory!

Plane Pull: Raised $40,000 after 3 years of being on hold due to COVID

Cover the Cruisers: A new event took place at four locations throughout the state and raised a total of nearly $4,000

Gopher Plunge: Another re-established event after being on hold due to covid, raised over $7,000

Community engagement

We always enjoy seeing our law enforcement officers at our events and activities. Whether you’re stopping by to watch and cheer on our athletes, bringing guests to introduce them to SOMN, handing out awards or picking up a volunteer shift, your engagement in our mission is always appreciated!

Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s coming in October and November. Feel free to pick up a volunteer shift or just stop by! Contact Lou Ann Kelly at louann.kelly@somn.org if you want to volunteer or if you have any questions.

October 2022

October 15 – Hot Cider Hustle, Bloomington

October 13 – Bemidji Unified Bocce Regional competition, Bemidji

October 22 – Hot Cider Hustle, Rochester

October 25 – Regional Bocce Tournament, Plymouth

November 2022

November 6 – Inclusive Community Health Fair, Bloomington

November 11-13 – State Bowling competition, Brooklyn Park

November 12-13 – State Bowling competition, Blaine

November 12-13 – State Bowling competition, Bloomington

November 18 – Unified Bowling Tournament, Grand Rapids

November 18-20 – State Bowling competition, Alexandria

November 19-20 – State Bowling competition, Welch

November 18-20 – State Bowling competition, Grand Rapids

November 21-22 – Unified Bowling Invitational, Thief River Falls

See all upcoming SOMN events

Learn more about the LETR Executive Council

The Minnesota Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is governed by the Executive Council. This group of dedicated individuals utilizes the enthusiasm, support, and resilience of officers throughout the state of Minnesota in their respective roles to advance the mission of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

We meet 6 times per year, most often virtually, and help guide Minnesota’s Special Olympics program. For the small amount of time and effort required, the love and respect you will receive from the athletes can be life-changing.

We have a few openings in some of our regions (northwest and southwest Minnesota) and are looking for law enforcement officers to fill those spots. We are also always looking to fill agency liaison roles.

Learn more about the LETR Executive Council

Thank you for your commitment and support!

DONATE

SOMN.ORG