LETR News

Four-year-old Labrador Retriever Briggs Pearce stole the show at the Vancouver Polar Plunge for Special Olympics BC earlier this year. Participating in the province’s first-ever Puppy Plunge on March 2, the charitable canine earned the sought-after title of “Top Puppy Plunger.”

Saskatoon Police Service’s Sergeant Joe Tataryn got involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) within his first month of becoming a police officer in 1998. While there are a number of charities supported by police across the country, LETR hit close to home.

After 32-years as a police officer, Sgt. Mark McGugan’s career highlight is the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR). The London City Police Officer – and Provincial Director for LETR in Ontario – has been involved with the public awareness and grassroots fundraising organization for Special Olympics for almost as long as he’s been policing.

School Resource Officer Kristi MacKay is a dedicated LETR PEI committee member and a consistent participant in the province’s annual Polar Plunge. She also goes above and beyond by taking on extra tasks and creating unforgettable experiences with Special Olympics athletes.

Constable Scott Edwards has been involved with the Manitoba LETR since 2014 and is currently the Secretary on the Executive Committee. He is also the Chair of the Morden Polar Plunge Committee, which is in its 5th year.

Inspector Joanne Wild has been a member of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics BC (BC LETR) since the 1990s and serves on the BC LETR Executive Council. She has worked tirelessly to raise funds and awareness for SOBC through numerous fundraising initiatives.

In 2010, I was asked to participate in a community LETR run. I honestly didn’t know what LETR or Special Olympics was about at that time, but I enjoyed running, so I said yes. I started volunteering and meeting local athletes. The athletes always had huge smiles on their faces and the happiness was contagious.

When retired Toronto Police Service Const. Lorne White first heard about the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) more than 30 years ago, he “knew nothing” about Special Olympics. Today, he’s one of the biggest champions of the movement in Canada.