Articles in Law Enforcement Torch Run

By Emma Finn, Marketing & Communications Intern (middle left) 

This April will mark my third year of raising money and participating in the Greek Community’s “Polar Bear Plunge” at Iowa State University. As a freshmen I knew very little about what the Polar Plunge was. I knew to an extent what Special Olympics was, but I never fully understood what I was raising the money for. That year I raised my $75 for the plunge and participated.

Then my sophomore year came around and I became friends with Katie Buscher. Katie has been a volunteer for Special Olympics Iowa for years, along with her parents Dan and Mary and sisters Lizzy and Annie. The Buscher family’s passion as advocates and volunteers for SOIA is truly inspiring. Getting to know their family better and meeting Katie’s uncle Michael who is a SOIA athlete, helped me realize more about what SOIA really was. The Buscher families’ kindness, generosity and involvement with SOIA inspired me beyond belief. That year for the plunge I raised $575.

Fall of my junior year rolled around, which is when the SOIA State Volleyball tournament is held in Ames. One of my good friends, Mallory Majors, helped run the event. Mallory had such dedication and drive when helping organize the event. She came home that day after the tournament with a smile on her face and loads of stories that stuck with me. It was then that I decided I wanted to get more involved with SOIA. …

By Emma Finn

Ron Lane is a Conservation Officer for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The Cedar Rapids native has been involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) since 2000. He got his Torch Run start when he first joined the department and found out it was an event they always participated in. When he heard about it he jumped at the opportunity and has been involved ever since.

The Torch Run is an event each year in which law enforcement officers carry the Special Olympics Flame of Hope along planned routes, covering all corners of the state. For the Final Leg, officers run and bike the torch from Des Moines to Ames, converging on Hilton Coliseum. The Torch is passed to a Special Olympics Iowa athlete who lights the Olympic Flame at the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics Iowa Summer Games. Officers around the state collect donations for the opportunity to run or bike in the Final Leg.

With 18 years of Torch Run experience Lane has made many memories. One in particular that he recalls was when an officer’s son participated in the games, and they decided to get him an officers’ shirt to wear that they had all signed. He also got to help the officers on the run. He remembers them all taking a picture together and how incredible that moment was. …

Casey’s General Stores throughout Iowa helped raise funds for Special Olympics Iowa this June with the Casey’s Promotion. Stores, in partnership with Coca-Cola, sold $1 pin-ups with proceeds being donated to Special Olympics as well as a percentage of sales from 44 oz. fountain drinks featuring Special Olympics athletes being donated to the nonprofit.

Over 14,000 athletes in Iowa will benefit from this fundraiser, which raised over $98,000. “Casey’s has continuously shown their generous support of our athletes and Unified Partners as they’ve helped us raise not just funds, but awareness for our organization,” says Special Olympics Iowa President and CEO Rich Fellingham. “We are proud to call Casey’s General Stores one of our Champion Statewide Partners.”

The company’s values are rooted in a sense of belonging to the communities in which it operates, which aligns with Special Olympics’ vision of inclusion for all athletes. Together throughout Iowa, the Casey’s Promotion raises awareness about different abilities and helps foster growth for our programs.

Special Olympics Iowa would like to give their sincerest appreciation for Casey’s and Coca-Cola for their generous donation and support.

Join us for our Law Enforcement Torch Run Extravaganza (previously known as the Torch Run Dance & Auction) hosted by the Des Moines Police Department on Saturday, January 21st from 7-11 p.m. at Hy-Vee Hall.

Tickets are $20 per person.

The night includes a DJ, appetizers, photo booth, refreshments and a live and silent auction! Each attendee will receive and entry for a $100 cash drawing donated by Jeannie’s Bottle.

Purchase tickets online
Tickets can also be bought the night of the event.

Starting November 11th and running through November 24th, Kwik Star stores across Iowa will sell Polar Plunge icons in support of Special Olympics Iowa.

Customers can purchase a paper icon for just $1 each, sign their names on the icon and display them in their local Kwik Star to show support of our athletes during Plunge season.

Kwik Star has been a longtime supporter of Special Olympics Iowa. They are a Premier Statewide Partner and each year for two weeks, every Kwik Star in the state of Iowa sells Polar Plunge icons. Kwik Star employees also support our local programs and employ our athletes. Statewide campaigns such as this increase the awareness of the Special Olympics movement.

Visit your local Kwik Star store to purchase an icon and thank the Kwik Star team for supporting SOIA athletes.

Ever been curious about this famous Special Olympics fundraiser? The Polar Plunge® is a signature fundraiser for Special Olympics that offers a unique opportunity for individuals and organizations to raise money and support Special Olympics Iowa athletes by jumping into frigid waters. Polar Plunges are held across the state of Iowa in the fall and spring. The West Des Moines Polar Plunge will be held Saturday, November 5 at the Jordan Creek Town Center.

Premier Statewide Partner Lincoln Savings Bank is presenting the event for the second year in a row. Volunteers from LSB will be on hand all day to help the Plunge run smoothly and to provide guests with giveaways and fun activities.

Immediately following the Plunge, participants and guests can stay warm and enjoy fun, food, drink, music, a silent auction and drawings at the post-party. Lunch can be purchased for spectators at registration for $10 (ages 5 and under free). …

Law enforcement officers will stake themselves atop 18 participating Dunkin’ Donuts locations across the state of Iowa on Sept. 9 to help raise money for Special Olympics Iowa (SOIA) in the 2nd annual Cop on a Rooftop event. 

“Cop on a Rooftop” is a unique fundraiser where local officers stand on the roof of a local business while volunteers help collect donations at the entrance and drive-thru of the business. You’ll be able to get a free coffee coupon from participating Dunkin’ Donuts stores when you make a donation to SOIA.

This event is one of many planned and implemented each year by the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) in support of SOIA.

Each year, the LETR initiative continues to grow. In 2015, LETR worked with 750+ law enforcement officers to raise more than $875,000 for Iowa athletes. …

Special Olympics Iowa (SOIA) athletes and law enforcement officials are being showcased on the 44-ounce cups at Casey’s General Stores throughout the state. The cups are available in stores now through Labor Day with a portion of the proceeds from each Casey’s Cup sold going to SOIA.

This is the third year Casey’s has supported SOIA with the Casey’s Cup campaign!

Now, SOIA is challenging customers to take photos of themselves with the cups, and each month this summer (June, July, August), a winner will be chosen to receive a SOIA swag item. A grand-prize winner will be chosen at the end of the contest and will receive a free one-night stay at Embassy Suites in downtown Des Moines and other prizes.

HOW TO ENTER: …

Rachel Bosworth has been named the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Marketing and Event Coordinator for Special Olympics Iowa. She began her position in November.

She will help coordinate LETR events such as Cop on Top, Final Leg, Over the Edge, Pigskin Madness, Polar Plunges®, Tip a Cop and more.

Bosworth graduated from Coe College in 2015 with a degree in business administration and public relations. She has previously worked with the Alzheimer’s Association as a community outreach and events intern and with The Blue Zones Project as a marketing intern.

She has a volunteer history with Special Olympics, helping at Summer Games during her middle school and high school career.

Please join us in welcoming her to the state office team!