The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics was started in 1981 by Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon, and is Special Olympics’ largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle in the world. Law enforcement officers throughout the world carry the "Flame of Hope" through the streets of their communities and deliver it to their local, state, national or world Special Olympics Games.

In addition to the actual Torch Run, the program features a variety of fundraising opportunities including merchandise sales, donations and pledges for Torch Runners, and community events such as Polar Plunges, Fire Truck Pulls and 5K runs.

What is the Mission of Special Olympics Texas

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Volunteers

Volunteers are the lifeline of the Special Olympics program. These volunteers serve as coaches, officials, committee members, competition assistants, speech coaches and much more. There are more than 4,1000 volunteer coaches involved in the program.