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SCPD Named #1 Fundraising Agency for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics

Thanks to tremendous community support, the Santa Clara Police Department was recently honored by being named the #1 Fundraising Police Department for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Northern California. The police department received the award on January 25, 2017, in Livermore at the annual Kick-Off conference for the Torch Run. The award was presented by California State Assembly Member Jim Frazier and the President and CEO of Special Olympics Northern California, David Solo.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw a need to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics. He conceived the idea of the Torch Run as a way to involve local law enforcement with their communities and Special Olympics. Now a global event, all 50 states and over 30 foreign countries participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, generating over $55,000,000 annually. Since its inception in 1981, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised over $600,000,000 worldwide for Special Olympics. It is the largest grass roots fundraising program and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics. In June, thousands of law enforcement personnel carry the Flame of Hope through 30 counties, culminating at the Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Games at UC Davis. Northern California law enforcement raise over $1 million dollars per year. Special Olympics Northern California provides athletic opportunities to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, instilling the confidence they need to succeed in life. The Law Enforcement Torch Run® raises significant funds to support these efforts.

There are many ways to support the Law Enforcement Torch Run fundraising campaign. SCPD raises funds at the Texas Hold'em Poker Challenge, Tip-A-Cops at local restaurants and through T-shirt sales. Assistant Chief of Police Dan Winter is currently fundraising for a Polar Plunge http://specialolympicsinc.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=1701 that he will do into the chilly waters of the Flughafen See in Niederöblarn, Austria. The Assistant Chief is the State Director of the Northern California Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics and has been selected to carry the "Flame of Hope" throughout Austria leading up to the start of the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Your donations to this event are appreciated.