Texas to host 2022 International LETR Conference

Texas to host 2022 International LETR Conference

The return of the Flame of Hope to the 2022 Law Enforcement Torch Run® International Conference at the Kalahari Resort, Round Rock, Texas on November 3 - 5

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : January 04, 2022

TEXAS - The International Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics annual conference will be coming to Round Rock, Texas and Kalahari Resorts November 2-5th, 2022. Watch the official announcement by clicking here.

LETR began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon created the Torch Run. He thought the Torch Run would help law enforcement be active in the community and support Special Olympics Kansas. In 1983, Chief LaMunyon presented the program to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). They decided to endorse Torch Run and became the “Founding Law Enforcement Organization.” With the IACP’s support, LETR became the movement's largest public awareness and fundraising group for Special Olympics.

Known as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the “Flame of Hope” into Opening Ceremonies of local competitions. They also carry it into Special Olympics State, Provincial, National, Regional and World Games. There are over 97,000 law enforcement members that carry the “Flame of Hope” annually. The flame symbolizes courage and celebration of diversity uniting communities around the globe.

"The Special Olympics Texas organization and our Law Enforcement Torch Run volunteers are excited to be hosting the 2022 International Conference. Unfortunately, this event has not been held the past two years due to the worldwide pandemic, but this year our organization and the great Texas LETR group stepped up and said we can't lose another year, and YES we are going to make it happen and we are going to be there for our athletes" said SOTX Law Enforcement Torch Run Executive Director Doug Ray. "And because of the Texas LETR leadership, the event at Kalahari Resort will again bring together Law Enforcement Torch Run volunteers from around the world to celebrate,  inspire, motivate, teach and learn and just continue building this amazing partnership of support for our athletes. We are all just so grateful for this opportunity and honored to work with this fantastic group of heroes".

Since inception, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised more than half a billion dollars and changed millions of attitudes by engaging law enforcement officers worldwide to be champions of acceptance and inclusion. Learn more about Special Olympics Texas and LETR in the next extended cut Lighting the Flame of Hope video by clicking here or reading more by clicking here.

About Special Olympics Texas
Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) is a privately funded non-profit organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect.  SOTX provides continuing opportunities for more than 58,800 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the Lone Star State to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship.  To learn more, visit www.specialolympicstexas.org or call 800.876.5646.  Engage with us on: Twitter @SOTexas; fb.com/SpecialOlympicsTX; youtube.com/specialolympicstexas.