Athlete highlight: Emily Ward

Emily Ward has been a Special Olympics Minnesota athlete for over 17 years, first getting involved in the movement in 2006. She has competed in bowling, swimming, track and field, softball and powerlifting, and in high school, Emily discovered her passion for horseback riding. 

She was introduced to the world of equestrian events when she participated in a therapeutic horseback riding program. She fell in love with the calming nature of riding as well as the horses themselves. "Horses are and have been a big part of my life," says Emily.

Event recap: Final Leg

Thank you to all the members of law enforcement and Special Olympics supporters who participated in the 2024 Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg! The week of June 17-22, more than 100 agencies traveled 800 miles across Minnesota carrying the Flame of Hope in support of Special Olympics athletes. The routes cumulated at the Special Olympics Minnesota Summer Games Opening Ceremony, where law enforcement and athletes lit the cauldron signifying the beginning of Summer Games. This event raised over $35,000 in participation and t-shirt sales.

View photos from the 2024 Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg

UPCOMING EVENTS

Dunkin' Cop on a Rooftop

Dunkin’ Cop on a Rooftop is returning on Friday, August 16, from 6-11 AM. Stop by during this time and donate to Special Olympics Minnesota to receive a coupon for a free donut. If you donate $10 or more, you’ll also get a coupon for a free medium hot or iced coffee!

Over 30 Dunkin locations will be participating across the state.

Thank you to the 40+ law enforcement agencies hosting Dunkin' locations. If you would like to host a location, contact Cat at catherine.jensen@somn.org.

Plane Pull

Saturday, September 7 | MSP Airport

Join us for our annual Plane Pull, where teams of up to 8 people compete to see who can pull a 23-ton plane down the MSP runway the fastest!

Unified Fore Joy TopGolf ProAm

Friday, September 27 | TopGolf, Brooklyn Center

Unified Fore Joy will give you the opportunity to compete in a world-renowned TopGolf arena against other teams across the world!

Officer highlight: Carter Staaf

My name is Det. Carter Staaf from the Eden Prairie Police Department. In 2007, retired EPPD Chief (then Sergeant) Greg Weber rallied five EPPD officers to participate in the South Metro Polar Bear Plunge. We had an amazing time. The esprit de corps of the event captured us. We decided that the following year, 2008, we wanted to host a Polar Plunge in Eden Prairie.

Since that first Eden Prairie Polar Plunge I have been hooked on Special Olympics Minnesota. I proudly wear my Polar Plunge gear and tell everyone who even glances at my shirt to come and jump with us in Eden Prairie.

I think what captures my heart the most about Special Olympics is the vibe surrounding every event. There is something in the air that is beyond the event. Yes, at their root the events support athletic competition, but something else is present. I think the infusion of respect, love and inclusion takes all Special Olympics Minnesota events to another level.

As I became more involved, I knew I wanted to serve Special Olympics Minnesota in other forms. This year I joined the Executive Council as an at-large member. I get an opportunity to see more of the great work that SOMN is doing and preparing for.

I am very excited as Minnesota gets ready to host the International LETR Conference in 2025 and USA Games in 2026. I am inspired to continue my relationship with amazing people of Special Olympics Minnesota.

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 Special Olympics Minnesota, handing out awards or picking up a volunteer shift, your engagement in our mission is always appreciated!

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.