Happy holidays from SOMN!
We want to wish you and your family a very healthy and happy holiday season! You have helped provide opportunities for thousands of Special Olympics athletes in Minnesota. Thank you for all you have done in 2021!

We are looking forward to our continued partnership in 2022. Please take a moment to watch this special holiday greeting:
Athlete Highlight: Jessica Lindahl
Hi! My name is Jessica Lindahl. I have been a Special Olympics athlete for about 15 years now. I've participated in many sports over the years, including swimming, track, softball, equestrian and basketball.

As I got older, I became more and more interested in growing my leadership skills, and about 6 years ago I started attending SOMN's Leadership University.
I have loved my experiences with Leadership University. Some of my favorite classes have been the Global Messenger trainings, Athletes as Coaches and the Law Enforcement Torch Run Ambassador courses.

I really enjoy helping out at fundraising events for Special Olympics Minnesota, because I know how important they are. Some LETR events that I really enjoy are the Plunge, Dunkin' Coffee for Champions and the Red Robin Tip-A-Cop.
I love being a part of the LETR because I get to spend my time with some pretty amazing police officers who know a lot about Special Olympics. They always take their time to sit down and chat with me and they have so much patience!

Happy holidays!

- Jessica
Event Spotlight: Polar Plunge
We're gearing up for the 2022 Polar Plunge season! The Plunge is an incredible event that brings together so many of our law enforcement partners, Special Olympics Minnesota athletes and community members.

All of our favorite locations are back in 2022, and we'll be kicking off Plunges the last weekend of January. Register your team below!
LETR Highlight: Breana Beach
I first got involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run in 2007 during my first year working for the Department of Corrections. The first year I participated in the Final Leg and my involvement grew from there.

I then started Plunging annually and participating in Cop-On-Top events. In my 14 years with the LETR, I have been involved in so many cool events like Tip-A-Cops, the Solar Plunge, various 5K events and the Jail n' Bail.
Currently, I am serving as the Deputy Director of Affiliations and Partnership Development on the Minnesota LETR Executive Council. My most memorable experience was when I represented Special Olympics Minnesota at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, participating in the Final Leg.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run has become my second family, and I have made a lot of great friends. I know that no matter what else is happening in life, if I'm with my LETR family I will have a great time! We laugh and smile, all while raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics Minnesota.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is always a bright place in my life. The friendships I have formed are genuine, and I know they will be there for me. Also, through my involvement as an LETR officer, I have been able to become a certified coach and start a local Young Athletes program. My sister and I have been running this program since 2011.

It's an incredible feeling to see the funds we work hard to raise introducing Young Athletes to the Special Olympics Minnesota Community.

- Breana
2021 Guardian of the Flame Award
Congrats to Chief Rodney Seurer from the Savage Police Department, who was honored with the 2021 Minnesota Law Enforcement Torch Run Guardian of the Flame Award!

The Savage Police Department has been a part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for over 20 years! They played a major part in starting the Prior Lake Polar Plunge and the event has been going strong for the last 11 years, resulting in over $1.5 million raised for Special Olympics Minnesota. They have also raised funds and awareness for SOMN through many Pizza & Protectors, Tip-a-Cop and Final Leg events over the years.
In addition to these fundraising events, Savage PD regularly volunteers their time at area and state competitions. They even helped start a new Special Olympics team in the south metro and continue to foster a strong relationship with those athletes today. Over the years, the department has played a big role in planning the International Torch Run Conference in Minnesota, serving on our LETR Executive Council and representing our state as a runner in the Final Leg at the national level.

Congratulations to Chief Rodney Seurer and the whole crew at the Savage Police Department!
Recent events

The annual Truck Convoy was a great success again this year! We had one of the largest gathering of vehicles participating, raising nearly $15,000 and helping spread awareness and inclusion. A special thank you to Deputy Jon Mathison from the Anoka County Sheriff's Office and all of the participating agencies for your assistance and support!

The Kasson Police Department held their first-ever Tip-A-Cop event on Sunday, October 17th. The Kasson Tip-A-Cop was a big success and raised over $1,800. Thank you to the American Legion Post 333, Chief Josh Hanson and Sheriff Scott Rose for their dedication to Special Olympics Minnesota!
LETR Virtual Training Opportunity
The Special Olympics e-learning training for law enforcement and first responders has won a LearnX award for Best Learning and Development Project. The training was designed to provide tools and resources to ensure members of law enforcement and first responders are prepared to respond effectively to situations involving individuals with intellectual disabilities.

To access the training, please log in to the Special Olympics Learning Portal and select the "Special Olympics Training for Law Enforcement and First Responders" course.

Congrats to the LETR International Executive Council Training Committee and all Special Olympics staff who contributed to this important training!
Host a Tip-A-Cop

Officers serve as celebrity servers at restaurants and donate all the tips they receive to Special Olympics Minnesota. Tip-A-Cop fundraisers are a fun and easy way for officers to raise money and interact with their communities while supporting local businesses.

"Tip-A-Cop events provide agencies with a uniquely wonderful opportunity to engage with the citizens and businesses located within their community, while partnering with Special Olympics Minnesota to simultaneously support their programming and build relationships with athletes! They're easy to plan and execute, and the memories will stick with you for years to come!"

Miranda Soldow, Richfield Police Department Investigator
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.
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!