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Special Olympics North Carolina

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Special Olympics North Carolina

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Home | Torch Run | Torch Run History

Torch Run History

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The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics (LETR) began in 1981 in Kansas where Wichita Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to raise funds and increase awareness for Special Olympics.

The idea behind the Torch Run was to provide law enforcement officers with an opportunity to volunteer with Special Olympics in the communities where the officers lived and worked. After three years of successful runs in Kansas, Chief LaMunyon presented his idea to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, which endorsed Special Olympics International as its official charity through the Torch Run.

In North Carolina, the first Torch Run was organized in 1987 when relays were run from Raleigh and Charlotte to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Fetzer Field, site of the 1987 Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games.

Special Olympics North Carolina is the official charity of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police. All law enforcement officers participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics North Carolina (NC LETR) are volunteers. No professional solicitors or promotional companies are authorized to solicit on behalf of this event.

For more information, contact Leslie Moyar, Vice President of Development for NC LETR, by email or at 919-210-0966.

NC LETR Financial History

Fundraising Results

Year Total Raised
1987 $50
1988 $3,700
1989 $45,000
1990 $100,000
1991 $103,000
1992 $139,000
1993 $180,463
1994 $274,076
1995 $412,525
1996 $522,959
1997 $681,638
1998 $930,977
1999 $1,177,623
2000 $1,254,125
2001 $1,232,009
2002 $1,163,235
2003 $1,056,617
2004 $987,826
2005 $927,037
2006 $1,076,941
2007 $1,181,751
2008 $1,115,926
2009 $951,165
2010 $1,004,721
2011 $976,000
2012 $1,199,541
2013 $1,038,570
2014 $1,190,592
2015 $1,340,844
2016 $1,282,847
2017 $1,259,000
2018 $1,467,000
2019 $1,632,799
2020 $979,896
2021 $1,300,000
2022 $1,562,582

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics North Carolina has raised $31,572,035 since 1987.

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Authorized and Accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. for the Benefit of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities.
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Special Olympics North Carolina
2200 Gateway Centre Blvd., Ste. 201
Morrisville, NC 27560
Tax ID: 56-1149607
919-719-7662
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MAIN MENU
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • News and Blog
    • Law Enforcement Torch Run
    • Advocate
    • Employment
    • Internships
    • Contact Us
  • Sports
    • Sports Offered
    • State-Level Competitions
    • Regionals and Invitationals
    • USA Games
    • World Games
    • Partner Up Power Up
    • Unified Sports
  • Get Involved
    • Become A Volunteer
    • Become An Athlete
    • Become A Coach
  • Beyond Sports
    • Health and Wellness
    • Unified Champion Schools
    • Law Enforcement Torch Run
    • Global Messengers
    • Young Athletes
  • Support
    • Fundraising Events
    • Ways to Give