Athlete Highlight: Erik Anderson
My name is Erik Anderson and I’m a proud Special Olympics Minnesota (SOMN) athlete. I have been a part of SOMN for 33 years and don’t intend to stop!

I currently participate in golf and basketball. Over the years, I’ve also competed in downhill skiing, swimming, bowling, tennis, and track and field. SOMN not only offers sports, but athlete leadership opportunities as well.
I’ve completed almost all of the Leadership University courses. These courses have built my confidence and taught me public speaking and how to advocate for myself and others. Recently, I completed the LETR Ambassador course and learned more about the SOMN and law enforcement partnership. It was a fun course where I learned a lot about public and personal safety. I’m excited to be an LETR Ambassador and get even more involved.
LETR has provided me many opportunities to volunteer at Special Olympics Minnesota events such as Polar Plunge, Tip-A-Cop and Cop on Top. The Plunge is my favorite event because I get to see all my law enforcement friends and they Plunge along with us. I have Plunged for six years and can’t wait for the 2022 Plunge season!
I’ve gotten to know many officers who care about the athletes and have made me feel included and supported. Some of them have become personal friends that I greatly value. Our LETR events also give me the chance to thank our officers for everything they do for us. I really appreciate their efforts to fundraise for us and donating all their time. The LETR community makes me feel like we’re a big family and here for each other.
Event Spotlight: Coffee with Champions
The Dunkin' Coffee with Champions event held with LETR is back for 2021! Any donation to SOMN will result in a coupon for a free Dunkin' donut. Come out to one of the following locations during the morning of Friday, August 20, to support Special Olympics Minnesota through the Law Enforcement Torch Run movement!
Andover
Bemidji
Chaska
Duluth
Eagan (1420 Yankee Doodle Rd location)
Fridley
Hastings
Lakeville
Lino Lakes
Maplewood
New Hope
Rochester (both locations)
Rogers
Roseville
St. Peter
West St. Paul
Woodbury
LETR Highlight: Nicole Reno

My name is Nicole Reno. I’m currently assigned as an SRO and patrol deputy at the Clay County Sheriffs Office. I became involved in LETR events by happenstance. When my former Lieutenant completed my background for getting hired, he found out I was in a sorority and did lots of volunteer hours. (He happened to be our LETR coordinator as well.) Later in my first year, he went off to the FBI academy for an extended training, causing him to miss the Torch Run. He asked me to fill in. As he is now the Chief of Police in Moorhead, I’m happily still "filling in" 12 years later (just wearing a different uniform)!
My love of Special Olympics really began when I attended state games that summer. I was put at the awards area with Kevin Torgerson and Mike Shortreed. Their enthusiasm and the sheer joy of the athletes had me HOOKED!

I’ve been lucky to coordinate our Final Leg and the Fargo Plunge, and I participated in the Final Leg in Korea in 2013 as well as various Polar Plunges and a Firetruck Truck Pull.
We also hold a Tip-A-Cop in Moorhead at Boulder Tap House, and I assist in the volunteer coordination for our local track and field events and announce awards at state bowling competitions in Moorhead.

My wish is that I could someday reach an athlete and make their life a bit happier the way each of them have enriched my life! I love Special Olympics and all it stands for. What a joy this volunteer position has brought to my career. It’s a top highlight FOR SURE!
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 eblasts 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.
Coming soon!
Torch Run Final Leg: Week of September 20, 2021

We're giving you extra time to stretch and prepare for returning to an in-person event! We are currently working on the Final Leg hat and T-shirt designs and will send out information once they are completed. For questions or to order shirts, please contact Cat Jensen at catherine.jensen@somn.org

Maplewood LETR Golf Tournament

Join us for the Maplewood LETR Golf Tournament for Special Olympics Minnesota at Oak Marsh Golf Course on Thursday, September 9! Registration is $125 and includes eighteen holes of scramble golf at Oak Marsh Golf Course, green fees, cart, dinner, prizes & drawings.
How to get involved

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.
Thank you for your commitment and support!