We want to wish you and your family a very healthy and happy holiday season! Your efforts have helped provide many opportunities for over 8,000 Special Olympics Minnesota athletes. The programs and events we offer are life-changing for so many. Thank you for all you have done in 2020. We are looking forward to our continued partnership in the coming year.
Athlete Highlight: Shelby Eisenschenk
I am with the St. Cloud Area Special Olympics team. I participate in bowling, poly hockey, swimming, track and field and golf. I am also a Global Messenger and Health Ambassador for Special Olympics Minnesota (SOMN). I am in much better health because all of the events keep me physically active.
I love being involved with other activities within Special Olympics Minnesota, such as giving speeches in the community as a Global Messenger, participating in the Leadership University courses where I learn so much, and joining in on the Polar Plunge. My first Plunge was in 2010. From then on, I was hooked! I also enjoy helping at Tip-A-Cop events and the LETR Torch Run Final Leg. I really like carrying the Torch and running alongside of the officers.
Before becoming involved in SOMN, I was very much alone. I am non-verbal, so people sometimes find it difficult to approach me and hold a conversation. But with my device and some adapted sign language, I can hold conversations with individuals. When I joined SOMN, I found a place where I was accepted. I found my people! I was encouraged for all the things I could do instead of being shown all the things I could not do. It was a game changer to my self-esteem!
Being involved in SOMN has opened so many doors for me. I have had opportunities to go to different golfing events, even a National Golf event in South Carolina, and meet so many new people. I have participated in many events and won medals, which makes me feel proud of what I can accomplish. I have made new friends within my delegation. They know me and we can communicate even without my device. They get me and love my enthusiasm and energy!
I had the honor of wining the Outstanding Athlete Leadership Award in 2011. Being chosen for that award made me realize that people do see me for what I can do.

I chose to get involved with our LETR because I wanted to show others that no matter what your ability, you can be active in your community. You can have a voice! The partnership between SOMN and LETR helps show others what we are capable of and helps break down the barriers for all people who are non-verbal or autistic. We can and are able to be so much more if given the opportunity!
2021 Polar Plunge

Next year’s Plunge season is officially open! There are two opportunities to participate: in person or virtually. Safety is always our main concern, and we're working hard to provide safe traditional Plunges for all our participants. New in 2021 is our virtual option—participate from home by showing us your best cold weather experience. Be safe and be creative!
LETR Highlight: Keith Melrose

“I got involved with the Torch Run to help people, the same reason I got into law enforcement. It turned out that I was the one that was helped, and my life was changed by being involved and supporting Special Olympics Minnesota! The feeling you get when simply helping/volunteering at an event is amazing. But when you host an event like a Plunge or a run and you can actually see the difference you make in your local programs and athletes, that is amazing!”

Keith was selected as one of Alexandria’s Voices That Care recipients. Congratulations, Keith!
The Alexandria Police Department was recently presented with the MN LETR Guardian of the Flame – Police Department award. Accepting the award was Chief Kevin Scott, Captain Kevin Guenther and Sergeant Keith Melrose. The Alexandria Police Department has been heavily involved with Special Olympics Minnesota for the past 15 years. In 2007, they began their Polar Plunge and have grown their event to be one of the largest in Greater Minnesota.

In 2019, Keith Melrose and Darcie Zirbes worked tirelessly to create a Cool School Plunge in partnership with Discovery Middle School in Alexandria. Through this event, over $60,000 has been raised within the first two years.
Moving into 2021 and beyond, our connections at the Alexandria PD are working to create new revenue streams through expanding the Cool School program statewide and are helping to spread the mission of inclusion and acceptance through their involvement and leadership in many Special Olympics Minnesota events. In addition to all of this, Keith Melrose finds time to serve as the Central Region Chairperson for the LETR Executive Council.
2020 Truck Convoy

The annual LETR Truck Convoy was held October 9-10 at Running Aces Racetrack and Casino. In spite of this year’s challenges, it was a successful event with 87 participants raising $13,000+!
2020 Plane Pull Throw

Our Plane Pull became a Plane Throw this year. Thank you to all who participated and continued the competitive spirit of this event! Our enthusiastic participants raised over $3,500 in support of Special Olympics Minnesota athletes. We hope to return to the MSP airport next year for our traditional Plane Pull!
How to get involved

Check out our newly redesigned LETR website! We have information on all our LETR events, new recruitment presentations and handouts, information about open positions on our Executive Council and much more.

To learn more or get further involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run, visit our website or contact Kean Corkery at kean.corkery@somn.org.
Thank you for your commitment and support!