Athlete highlight: Abby Hirsch |
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Hi, my name is Abby Hirsch and I have been involved with Special Olympics Minnesota for over 20 years! At a young age, Special Olympics introduced me to the wonderful world of sports where I developed not just a love of sports and competition, but a passion for fitness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I participate and compete in eight different sports which include basketball, bocce ball, bowling, downhill skiing, poly hockey, power lifting, swimming and track. |
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While I love all of these sports, I think my top three favorites would be swimming, basketball and powerlifting. I even got to compete in swimming at the 2014 USA Games in Princeton, NJ—what an amazing opportunity and an incredible experience!
In addition to being a proud athlete, I am so honored and proud to be a member of the SOMN Board of Directors as well as a part of the Athlete Input Council. I have also participated in many of the Leadership University classes that Special Olympics Minnesota offers. To name just a few: Global Messenger, Health Ambassador, Athletes as Coaches & Volunteers, and LETR 1.0 & 2.0. These classes provide training in public speaking, encourage growth and personal development and build confidence so our voices can be heard!
I would say my top three favorite Leadership University classes would be: Global Messenger because it has provided me many amazing opportunities to speak to groups and organizations and even our State Representatives in Washington DC, about Special Olympics Minnesota; Health Ambassador because of my love and passion for fitness and healthy living; and of course LETR 1.0 & 2.0.
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I really appreciate Law Enforcement for volunteering their time in so many ways to Special Olympics Minnesota. I have enjoyed meeting a lot of you at Cop on Top, Tip-A-Cop, Plane Pull, state competitions and many Polar Plunge events. One of many lasting memories I have of Law Enforcement was at my very first state track & field competition. Law Enforcement was announcing the awards. You made it so much fun, you were encouraging, and you made us all feel like we were your friends. You took the time to make every athlete feel important. Twenty years later, you are still doing it and I look forward to our friendship lasting for many more years. |
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Thank you so much for all you do to support Special Olympics Minnesota and athletes like me. You are making a difference and changing lives! |
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Event Spotlight: Final Leg
Torch Run Final Leg: Week of June 20, 2022
The tradition of the Torch Run Final Leg is for law enforcement officers representing their communities across the state to act as Guardians of the Flame and carry the Special Olympics torch and the Flame of Hope throughout their area. Here in Minnesota, many Final Leg Torch Run legs will take place the week of June 20 throughout the state.
Law enforcement officials and SOMN staff coordinate these events in many communities each day. All runs begin in greater Minnesota and follow paths leading them to the Twin Cities metro area. The cost is $20 per person and each participant will receive a commemorative T-shirt or hat. This year, the shirt design was created by Kayte Barton, a Special Olympics Minnesota athlete!
The Final Leg will culminate at Stillwater High School on Saturday, June 25, at 12:15 PM at Summer Games Celebration Ceremonies. General public and athletes are welcome to come cheer on our participants.
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LETR highlight: Darcie Zirbes
I got involved with LETR during Polar Plunge season in 2009 while pregnant with my oldest child. Keith Melrose, who also works with the Alexandria Police Department, asked for volunteers to help with the Polar Plunge, and I signed up not really understanding the impact that one event would have on me. From there, I continued to help Keith plan our Polar Plunges each year and finally took my first Plunge several years later. I have even gotten my husband and our two boys to jump in our Polar Plunge; our boys look forward to the Plunge every year.
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Keith and I worked with Discovery Middle School to start a Cool School Plunge. It was amazing to see our middle school students embrace the Cool School Plunge and the Unified Club at their school. While I was there as the SRO, I was able to see the students begin to really understand and embrace the idea of inclusion. We've had a Torch Run walk at the beginning of the Band Festival parade in our community as well. |
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Along with Torch Run events, I have volunteered for several Special Olympics competitions in my community, bringing my oldest child along with me to volunteer and watching his love for Special Olympics grow. LETR and Special Olympics has become an important piece of my family.
I initially got involved in my first event thinking it wasn’t a big deal; it was just a little of my time. After that first Polar Plunge, seeing how important the event was to our local Special Olympics Minnesota athletes and the appreciation they had for everything we were doing, I was hooked. LETR reminds me continually that it really is the little things in life that are the most important. It's about what I can do for others and how I make people feel that matters. I want to help the Special Olympics movement continue to grow and make sure all of the athletes be able to participate in events; however, the athletes teach me so much more than I could ever teach them, and I always leave events feeling fulfilled with my heart full with joy.
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From my involvement in the LETR, my children are embracing the importance of giving their time to help others and to work for something that is bigger than them. I love being able to share my passion for LETR with my children and watch the passion for Special Olympics grow in them. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS - SAVE THE DATES! |
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Dunkin' Coffee for Champions |
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August 19, 2022
Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee for Champions is happening on Friday, August 19. Anyone who stops by and donates to Special Olympics Minnesota this day will receive a coupon for a free donut or coffee!
Exact timing and locations will be shared later but keep your eye open! If you’re interested in hosting a Dunkin’ location, please reach out to Cat at catherine.jensen@somn.org.
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Plane Pull
September 10, 2022
MSP Airport
Are you strong enough to pull a plane? At the Plane Pull, teams of up to 8 people compete to find out who can pull a 23-ton jet the fastest. Join the Public Safety division and prove that you are the strongest agency in Minnesota! Fundraising is required to participate and 100% of funds raised supports the athletes of Special Olympics Minnesota.
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2022 LETR International Conference
November 3-5, 2022
Kalahari Resort, Round Rock, Texas
We’re excited to announce that the LETR international Conference will be an in-person event this year! The Conference will be held November 3-5 in Texas. If you're interested in attending, please email louann.kelly@somn.org for more information and an application. Applications are due by June 30, 2022.
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Help spread the word!
We’re constantly updating our database so we can stay connected with all law enforcement partners. Our goal is to have a law enforcement representative at every agency within the state. This person would help spread information through our LETR newsletters and other emails. Please follow up with Kean Corkery at kean.corkery@somn.org to confirm that your agency has a liaison and help us spread the word in your area.
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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 June. Feel free to pick up a volunteer shift or just stop by! Contact Lou Ann at louann.kelly@somn.org if you want to sign up for a volunteer shift or if you have any questions.
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* Special Olympics Minnesota hosts an Athlete Input Council (ALC) where athletes provide crucial feedback and ideas for strengthening our mission and organization. Lead by athlete leaders and assisted by SOMN staff, this Council gives Special Olympics Minnesota athletes an opportunity to be agents of change in the Special Olympics movement and in their own communities. All visitors are welcome to join an ALC meeting. You are free to listen in or participate in the conversation. |
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Check out our 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 get further involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run, visit our website or contact Kean Corkery at kean.corkery@somn.org.
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Thank you for your commitment and support! |
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