Athlete Highlight: Richard Martin
We're pleased to welcome Richard Martin to the LETR Executive Council. He will be an excellent representative in greater Minnesota as a long-time Special Olympics Minnesota athlete and LETR Ambassador! We asked Richard to tell you about himself and the fun ways he gets involved with our LETR movement:
"I am a Special Olympics Minnesota athlete from Hibbing. I am 37 years old and have an intellectual disability. In my 15 years with SOMN, I have trained and competed in 10 different sports, including poly hockey, basketball, swimming, track, tennis, softball, bowling, bocce, flag football and golf. My favorites of these are tennis and track. I have also competed in a friendly cross-county skiing event in Wisconsin with SOWI athletes.
"I have skated with the Minnesota Wild Special Hockey Duluth Team for 5 years. I have trained with National Karate for 21 years and currently have my second degree black belt.

"My personal goal is to increase my involvement with the LETR as a LETR Ambassador and a member of the Executive Council.
"I want to bring more events to communities in northern Minnesota and will work to encourage involvement by local officers and athletes. I have organized a Plunge team with my friends from National Karate Hibbing nine times. I have volunteered with the LETR Award Ceremonies at Area bowing events. I have participated in LETR-sponsored 5Ks. One of my favorite events has been partnering with local officers in LETR golf tournaments."
Event Spotlight: 2021 Polar Plunge
Plunge season is officially underway! We’re excited that so many people have participated so far this year and that registrations are still coming in for both in-person and virtual Plunges. Safety is always our main concern, and this year is no exception for providing safe traditional Plunges for all our participants.

Want to start a Polar Plunge in your area but don’t have a lake? We can bring the Plungester, our new custom-built mobile Plunge unit, to your community! We're currently traveling around the state with the Plungester, and early reviews have been amazing! This new approach to our Plunge events is a great way for law enforcement to connect with their communities and raise funds as well as awareness for Special Olympics Minnesota. For more information, contact Kean Corkery at kean.corkery@somn.org.

Interested in volunteering? Visit plungemn.org to find a Plunge near you.
LETR Highlight: Nancy Carlson

Officer Nancy Carlson with the Forest Lake Police Department is our Regional Chairperson for the North Metro area. She and her agency stay busy volunteering at several LETR events, including the Truck Convoy, Final Leg and Plunges. Nancy also volunteers at our Summer Games state competition, handing out awards and connecting with our athletes.
Nancy recently shared, “Being a part of the LETR has been such a positive public relations connection to our community and our businesses alike! Officers look forward to the Torch Run each and every year and have even gotten their families involved and excited as well! Running the Torch through town is just one small piece of this amazing partnership.
"When the Torch Run ends at the Summer Games Opening Ceremonies, we as a department feel like it has come full circle, and knowing that we contributed to making that happen really warms our hearts!” 
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!

We're looking forward to the 2021 Final Leg Torch Run. Stay tuned for more details in the next newsletter!
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!