2024 BC Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Year in Review
Thank you for making a difference for athletes with intellectual disabilities!
Looking back at a year of championing inclusion
Year after year, the BC Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics has been a powerful force for positive change in communities throughout British Columbia.
In 2024, the BC LETR continued its commitment to supporting year-round Special Olympics sport, youth, and health programs for people with intellectual disabilities, leaving a lasting impact on 55 communities across the province. With the help of the LETR, Special Olympics BC athletes created strong friendships and pursued the sports and programs that matter so much to them.
Let's reflect on the incredible ways you’ve championed Special Olympics BC athletes and the spirit of inclusion in 2024.
2024 LETR Polar Plunge® for Special Olympics
What a splash this year’s LETR Polar Plunge® made! Brave Plungers across the province got bold and cold at in-person and virtual events during the 2024 Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics BC athletes. The event raised more than $310,000, which will play a vital part in helping athletes with intellectual disabilities find purpose, friendships, and fitness through the Special Olympics sport, youth, and health programs.
During the Vancouver plunge at Kitsilano Beach, SOBC – Langley athlete Christopher Lakusta described what Special Olympics means to him.
"Special Olympics is something very positive in my life for many reasons. I have made new friends, the travel opportunities, the support and awareness, the opportunity to try new sports, and gain more confidence," he said.
Mark your calendars! The Polar Plunge is returning February 15 to March 2, 2025.
Read more about the 2024 Polar Plunge
2024 Torch Run
Each year, BC LETR members come together for Torch Run events in their communities to raise funds and awareness while running and walking. They run shoulder to shoulder with Special Olympics BC athletes, carrying the Flame of Hope and spreading messages of respect and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities.
Heartfelt thanks to the BC LETR for their dedication in raising funds (and heart rates!) to support Special Olympics BC athletes and the year-round programs where they find life-changing friendships, empowering achievements, and health benefits.
Mark your calendars! The Torch Run is returning May 24 to June 8, 2025.
Learn more about the Torch Run
2024 BC Law Enforcement Torch Run Award
The BC Law Enforcement Torch Run Award is presented annually to a BC LETR member who has demonstrated significant dedication to the movement.
Congratulations to 2024 BC Law Enforcement Torch Run Award winner, Cst. Estee Clifford from the Abbotsford Police Department!
A valued LETR member for 14 years, Clifford has served as the Abbotsford Police Department Special Olympics BC liaison for the past three years. Through her efforts, she fosters a culture of acceptance and belonging, driving increased agency participation and supporting vital fundraising initiatives for Special Olympics BC.
Congratulations to the 2024 nominees:
- Cst. Azad Vizheh, North Vancouver RCMP
- Cst. Dan Galano, Victoria Police Department
- Sgt. George Maclagan, British Columbia Sheriff Service
- Staff Sgt. Michelle Luca, Ridge Meadows RCMP
- Cst. Sam Zacharias, Port Moody Police Department
For more information about the BC Law Enforcement Torch Run Award and how to submit a nomination for the 2025 award, visit the BC Law Enforcement Torch Run Award page or contact Meg Ishida at mishida@specialolympics.bc.ca.
9th Annual Metro Vancouver Transit Police Charity Golf Tournament
Annually, the Metro Vancouver Transit Police holds a charity golf tournament to raise vital funds for Special Olympics BC’s year-round programs. This year, the tournament raised $30,647! Thank you to the Metro Vancouver Transit Police for their dedicated efforts, and the participants and supporters who made the event a success.
2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Calgary
Detective Constable Cam Mackay from Vancouver Police Department proudly represented the BC LETR as a Final Leg runner at the 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Calgary.
Despite the chilly February Alberta weather, Cam said accepting the invitation was an easy choice. “An invitation to join a Final Leg team is always a privilege,” he said. “When I arrived in Calgary, I was greeted by other Final Leg team members. We instantly bonded.”
"I think I can speak for everyone on the team – this Final Leg will always be a reminder of why we got involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run,” he adds.
“The fundraising, promotion of events, but most importantly the relationships that are created with athletes and amongst officers are the reason why we keep coming back.”
2024 Delta Police Department 12-Hour Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics BC
Talk about getting steps in! Special Olympics BC athletes, law enforcement, agency staff, and members of the public took to the Paterson Park track in Delta to raise vital funds for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Over the course of 12 hours, participants ran or walked as many laps as possible, ultimately raising over $4,000 for year-round sport, youth, and health programs for Special Olympics BC athletes.
Thank you, Delta Police Department!
2024 Law Enforcement Torch Run International Conference
Over 1,000 LETR members from around the world gathered in San Antonio, Texas, for three days of inspiring, motivational, and educational experiences. Attendees learned how they can continue to support and grow LETR initiatives in their home programs to support Special Olympics athletes in our communities.
Delegates who proudly represented B.C. at the conference included:
- Sgt. Dale Quiring, Surrey Police Service
- Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, Prince George RCMP
- Cst. Sam Zacharias, Port Moody Police Department
- Retired Sgt. Sheri Lucas, Oak Bay Police Department
Mark your calendars! Next year’s LETR International Conference is taking place in Minneapolis, Minnesota from October 16 to 18, 2025.
Please reach out to Meg Ishida at mishida@specialolympics.bc.ca for application information.
Learn more about the LETR INTERNATIONAL conference
2024 Regional Qualifiers
Throughout the 2024 sport season, Special Olympics BC Regional Qualifiers were held across the province for athletes to qualify for the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George.
A big thank you to LETR members who helped celebrate the accomplishments of Special Olympics athletes across the province by presenting ribbons at Regional Qualifiers!
Learn more about the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games
BC LETR Executive
The BC LETR Executive Council provides guidance and leadership for LETR events and initiatives across British Columbia.
Provincial updates:
- Thank you to Deputy Chief Anita Furlan, who retired from the Metro Vancouver Transit Police
- Welcome to Deputy Chief Bryce Graham, Metro Vancouver Transit Police
- Welcome to Deputy Chief Constable Dan Culbertson, Abbotsford Police Department
- Welcome to Superintendent Allison Good, Surrey Police Service
- Thank you to Chief Sheriff Paul Corrado, who will be retiring from the BC Sheriff Service
- Welcome to Deputy Sheriff Roger Phillips, BC Sheriff Service
Full list of BC LETR Executive Council
Introducing new BC LETR volunteer positions: BC LETR Regional Coordinators
BC LETR Regional Coordinators communicate with and support LETR members and law enforcement agencies within their regions, with a focus on the success and growth of LETR events and initiatives, including the Polar Plunge and the Torch Run.
BC LETR Regional Coordinators:
- Region 1: Kootenays
- Vacant
- Region 2: Okanagan
- Vacant
- Region 3, 4, 5: Lower Mainland
- Joanne Wild
- Region 6: Vancouver Island
- Vacant
- Region 7 and 8: Northern BC
- Vacant
Interested in supporting the LETR in this new leadership capacity?
A look ahead to 2025
2025 BC LETR Provincial Workshop
On January 16, 2025, BC LETR Provincial Workshop will bring together LETR members from across the province to learn about LETR events and initiatives, including ideas for hosting events and increasing success of events. Sessions will be led by LETR members who have found success in various areas.
The workshop will be in person at the Port Moody Police Department and offered virtually.
The workshop will also feature guest speakers from Special Olympics BC, including athletes! It will be an informative workshop for both seasoned LETR veterans as well as members who are new to the LETR and Special Olympics movements, and anyone in between.
RSVP now
2025 BMO Marathon
On your marks, get set, go! Planning on running in the BMO Vancouver Marathon on May 4? Register as a charity runner for Special Olympics BC!
2025 Brita Night Run
Did you know Special Olympics BC is the charity partner of Brita Night Run Vancouver? Registration is now open at early-bird pricing for the Vancouver event on September 12, 2025!
2025 Polar Plunge
Save the date for next year's Polar Plunge events, happening in communities across B.C. from February 15 to March 2!
Please click here to find all the confirmed 2025 community events. And everyone can participate in the Personal Polar Plunge from February 15 to March 2!
Interested in hosting an event? The 2025 Community Event Planning Guide provides information on how to plan and host a Polar Plunge event in your community!
Contact Meg at mishida@specialolympics.bc.ca for further information and assistance.
2025 Polar Plunge Community Event Planning Guide
2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George
Athletes with intellectual disabilities across the province will come together from July 10 to 12 to compete with pride at the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George.
Stay tuned for information about the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg for the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games!
2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games
2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy
From March 8 to 15, more than 1,500 Special Olympics athletes from 103 countries will meet in Italy for the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin.
We are thrilled to announce that Deputy Chief Constable Leslie Ogston (Stevens) from Port Moody Police Department has been chosen to represent British Columbia as a Final Leg Torch Runner at the Word Games. Ogston will join eight Special Olympics athletes and 92 LETR members from around the globe to carry the Flame of Hope and ignite the #InclusionRevolution across Italy during this monumental event.
2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games
2025 Tim Hortons Campaign
Special Olympics Canada has once again partnered with Tim Hortons to create a limited-edition Special Olympics Donut! Available from January 31 to February 2, 2025, 100 per cent of proceeds from the Special Olympics donut will go directly to local Special Olympics community programs.
Stay tuned for an LETR-specific social media toolkit to help promote this campaign!
2025 Torch Run
The 2025 Torch Run season will return on May 24 until June 8, 2025. All agencies are encouraged to host events in their communities! Stay tuned for the 2025 Community Event Planning Guide or reach out to Meg at mishida@specialolympics.bc.ca for further information and assistance.
Thank you for being a champion of inclusion!
To learn more about the positive impact of your support, explore Special Olympics BC’s 2023-24 Impact Report.
BC LETR X (Twitter) account has been revamped! Give us a follow @BCLETR.
Questions? Please contact Meg at mishida@specialolympics.bc.ca.