Athlete highlight: Sidney Kuechle

My name is Sidney Kuechle. I am 22 years old and have been a Special Olympics athlete for over 12 years. When I first joined Special Olympics in elementary school, I participated in bowling and track & field. After I finished 12th grade, I started a transition program in a neighboring school district, and they had many more sports for me to participate in! I’m proud to be a member of the Awesome Knights Special Olympics Community team from the Cold Spring, MN area. I currently participate in bowling, track & field, basketball, golf, bocce and swimming!

In addition to participating in these sports, I also attended Leadership University in 2023. I completed the Public Speaking course and am proud to say I am now a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics Minnesota. Now I am more comfortable giving speeches to local organizations. Recently I spoke to our Lions club about donating to our Polar Plunge team!

Other highlights of my Special Olympics career include participating in Ian Leonard’s Bad Pants Open golf outing, leading our Athlete Oath at several regional and state competitions and competing at the 2022 USA Games in Orlando, Florida! I was proud to represent Team Minnesota in track & field in Orlando. I earned gold medals in the 400- and 100-meter runs and took fourth in shot put.

Last month I participated in my 4th Polar Plunge! People think I’m crazy, but I look forward to this event every year. Before the Plunge, I enjoy talking to community members about how their pledges support our team in continuing to be able to participate in all Special Olympics Minnesota has to offer. On the day of the event, it was so fun to be a part of the action with others from across our area. From the opening ceremonies and fun costumes to jumping in the lake—the whole Plunge experience is a highlight of my year.

The support we receive from the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) activities such as the Polar Plunge mean the world to me. The funds raised are definitely appreciated, but more importantly, the time volunteered and the connections made are priceless. Thank you to everyone who has a part in supporting the LETR program and Special Olympics Minnesota. 

Event recap: Tip-A-Cops

Rochester

We had a great time at Glynner's Pub in Rochester on December 14! Officials with the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office and Rochester Police Department spent the lunch and dinner hour alongside athletes from the Rochester Flyers Special Olympics team serving patrons and collecting donations for Special Olympics Minnesota, raising over $2,100. Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Rochester Tip-A-Cop!

Minneapolis

Thank you to the Minneapolis Police Department and Minneapolis Park Police for hosting a fantastic Tip-A-Cop at Moose Bar & Grill on December 15! Officers and local Special Olympics Minnesota athletes helped greet patrons, assist wait staff and collect donations. A huge thank you to the Moose Bar & Grill for matching all donations that evening; over $3,300 was raised for Special Olympics Minnesota and its mission of inclusion!

Savage

On February 6 we had another great Tip-A-Cop at McHugh’s Public House hosted by the Savage Police Department with help from the local Savage/Prior Lake Lakers Special Olympics team. They raised over $3,000 in just 2 hours—we look forward to the event again next year!



If you're interested in organizing a Tip-A-Cop in your community, please reach out to us at torchrun@somn.org.

LETR highlight: Rick Doll

Rick Doll is recently retired from the Minneapolis Park Police. Rick is a true behind-the-scenes leader who is never above doing any job to help with the success of an event. Until 2023, Rick has had the lead law enforcement role for the Minneapolis Polar Plunge since its inception. He headed up a committee of 15 members and understands each and every position. He blends experience, knowledge, compassion and humor in the role, and because of his dedication, the event has generated nearly $17 million with over 50,000 participants and 100,000 spectators over its 16-year history. Recently, he handed the reins over to a new lead but continues in an advisory role. He has provided valuable logistics to help shape our annual $2+million event. The event has also helped create tremendous media awareness both locally and nationally. 

Rick has led a number of Tip-A-Cop events. Whether he is bussing tables or greeting patrons, he always does it with wit and a smile. He sold LETR t-shirts every year and ran with the torch during Minnesota's Final Leg. He has sold raffle tickets, recruited other LETR volunteers to participate and volunteered at state competitions. He helped with logistics in organizing our Truck Convoy, and he participated all day in the Unified Relay Across America.  

Rick has been a member of the Executive Council for many years. He most recently is serving as Deputy Director of Operations.

Rick has also attended the LETR International Conference for the past 14 years, mentoring first-time attendees from Minnesota. This past year, he received the honored International John Carion Unsung Hero Award. This award was created for someone who contributes to the Torch Run and Special Olympics in spirit, dedication and enthusiasm in an effective and unheralded fashion. We couldn’t think of a better recipient!

Rick participated in the LETR Ambassador course offered through our Athlete Leadership program. He also called virtual bingo during the COVID pandemic. His humor is a big hit with the athletes and one of the reasons he is always asked back!

During the years Rick was working, he promoted the Minnesota LETR through law enforcement academy trainings. He gave presentations to many young cadets, trying to instill in them the importance of being involved with LETR from their first day on the job. Over the years, he has influenced hundreds of new recruits.

Rick’s dedication to the mission was evident when he attended World Games in 2016. He went there as a spectator with no goal beyond cheering on the athletes and experiencing the events. He also took personal time to become a Unified partner, joining an SOMN athlete to compete in Unified bowling.  

Rick brings many assets to his role, and Minnesota's LETR is very fortunate to have his assistance.

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 or Plungers, bringing guests to introduce them to SOMN, handing out awards or picking up a volunteer shift, your engagement in our mission is always appreciated!

Sat Mar 16 – Iron Range Plunge – Hibbing

Mar 22-23 – South Metro Plunge – Burnsville

Sun Apr 14 – Swimming competition – Collegeville

Thu Apr 18 – Basketball competition – Fergus Falls

Sat Apr 20 – Basketball competition – Rogers

Sun Apr 21 – Basketball competition – Hastings

Sat Apr 27 – Swimming competition – Bemidji

Sun Apr 28 – Basketball competition – Hibbing

Sun Apr 28 – Swimming competition – Rochester

Please contact torchrun@somn.org with any questions.

Check out our LETR webpage! 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 get further involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run, visit somn.org/letr or contact Kean Corkery at kean.corkery@somn.org.