2008 Torch Run Season

New York Law Enforcement Torch Run
Bigger, Better, STRONGER !




Two thousand and eight has been a busy year for the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) initiative in New York State. With a goal to double awareness and raise a $1million the program is constantly expanding and recruiting. The LETR committee from Buffalo to Long Island and Plattsburgh down to Binghamton have been busy mapping out Torch Runs and organizing routes to successfully escort the Torch to the State Summer Games. While taking this tour the Torch has passed through thousands of Law Enforcement hands representing agencies on all levels.

As the “Guardians of the Flame” these Law Enforcement officers have made their hometowns come to life with enthusiasm and excitement, with lights and sirens, with pomp and circumstance as the Torch passed through.

With each mile the Torch goes forth it brings more awareness for our athletes.

The fundraising that is orchestrated through our Torch Run initiatives have more than doubled in the past two years. New this year our Torch Runners were encouraged to register and fundraise online. More than $20,000 was raised on top of the revenue that was generated through the T-shirt Sales making this our most successful Torch Run season.

Congratulations to Terry Ellis from Scarsdale Police Department who was not only one of our top online fundraisers, raising $1120, he also completed the entire 30-mile Westchester County Torch Run. Terry sent out a challenge to his friends and family stating that if he was able to raise $1,000 he would not only do his own Leg of the Torch Run, he would complete the whole Westchester Leg. Good thing Terry is in shape. On warm sunny day in early May Terry completed his challenge.

2008 Torch Runs

May 3 York Games
More than 75 Torch Runners from Attica Correctional Facility escorted the Torch to kick off the Torch Run season.

May 6 Westchester County
Hundreds of runners enjoyed a beautiful day in Westchester.

May 9 Ogdensburg
Multiple agencies along with Ogdensburg and Riverview Correctional Facilities once again put on a great community Run.

May 10 West Point

May 27 Dutchess County

May 31 Metro NYC
For the first time in over a decade the Torch will be carried through New York City by Law Enforcement representing agencies throughout the City. Thanks to Tom Biggers and the NYPD Running Club for setting up the logistics and making this possible. The Torch began in Brooklyn and made its way over the bridge, through the City and into Riverbanks State Park for the Opening of the 20th Anniversary Metro Tournament.

June 4-6 Western New York
Western New York expanded their Torch Run route this year to gain more awareness for a growing program. With participation from more than 20 agencies, the Torch began its three-day journey at the Horse Shoe Falls in Niagara Falls, NY and headed south through Amherst, Tonawanda, and Buffalo to end the voyage with another brand new Leg in Hamburg, NY.

June 4 Batavia
From Elba to Batavia.

June 5 Capital Region
The Torch made its way from Schenectady to Albany City Hall with the help of the 196th Class of the New York State Police who exceeded their original fundraising goal of $5,000 in less than a week.

June 5-6 Clinton/Essex County
This two county run combines state, federal and local agencies in grand fashion.

June 6 Rochester
This Run begins in Gates and into the City of Rochester for an afternoon of music and fun.

June 9 Central New York
The Torch made its way through Central New York in one of our fastest growing Legs in the State. Beginning just as the sun peaked its way into the sky the Torch made its way from Canandaigua all the way to the city of Syracuse. Multiple agencies from Corrections, Sheriffs to the State Police came together to pass the Torch along the 60+ mile route.

June 10 Long Island
More than 400 runners from both Nassau and Suffolk Counties escorted the Torch from the East and the West to meet in the middle at SUNY Farmingdale for a great lunch and ceremony!


June 10-11 Adirondack
The Torch makes its way through the Adirondacks all the way to Waterford with stops in Glens Falls and Mechanicville.

June 11 The FINAL LEG
The Torch began in Cortland and traveled all the way to the City of Binghamton with Bikes and Cars leading the way for the last miles of the jouney into Opening Ceremonies!


What is the Law
Enforcement Torch Run?
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) to benefit Special Olympics is the movement’s largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. More than 85,000 law enforcement officers carried the Flame of Hope across 35 nations, raising more than $30 million for Special Olympics. In New York State thousands of officers from hundreds of agencies have carried the Torch through their communities.

How Can I Get Involved?
We are actively recruited Law Enforcement from every agency across the state to be a part of our LETR program. Is there a Torch Run in your community? If not, we can help you start one. Not a runner…join a fundraising initiative like a Polar Plunge. Contact Renee Snyder at rsnyder@nyso.org or 518-388-0790 ext. 103.

Polar Plunge Season
Polar Plunges have become our premier Law Enforcement Torch Run fundraising event. In our 2007-2008 Plunge Series more than $600,000 was raised in seven Plunges, including four brand new events. Our 2008-2009 Plunge season will launch on Saturday, November 15 in Verona, NY. We are currently looking for Law Enforcement and civilian committee members for all of our Polar Plunges. Strong active committees are the key to our success with these events so if you are interested in helping out with logistics, recruiting teams and having a great time please contact Renee Snyder at rsnyder@nyso.org.
Saturday, November 15
Verona Beach State Park
Verona, NY

Saturday, November 22
Beaver Island State Park
Grand Island, NY

Saturday, December 6
Rye Playland
Rye, NY
Sunday, December 7
Great Kills Beach
Staten Island, NY

Saturday, December 13
Shepard Park
Lake George, NY

Sunday, February 8, 2009
Charlotte Beach
Rochester, NY
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Bar Beach
Pt. Washington, NY

March, 2009
Sharpe Reservation
Fishkill, NY


Please note dates and times are tentative and are subject to change

Dear Torch Run Friends!

Dear Torch Run Friends!

It’s an exciting time in the world of the New York Law Enforcement Torch Run! Last year we raised over $400,000 for the athletes of Special Olympics New York through our Torch Run fundraisers and initiatives and this year we are well on our way to doubling that number! Torch Run Season is soon approaching and we look forward to more legs, more runners and more exposure than ever before. We have a great T-shirt design this year and in addition to our usual cotton tee we are also offering a “wicking/dry-fit” running shirt with this year’s logo for only $20. We are also encouraging our Torch Runners to go online and start their own fundraising page to raise funds for our athletes. It’s fast, easy and secure – and if you raise $50 you get your Torch Run shirt free! Get started CLICK HERE!
Remember that the Torch Run is an international initiative that spans the globe! The Torch Run receives amazing publicity throughout the state so please make sure your runners are wearing this year’s official Torch Run shirt during your run. The proceeds that are generated from the LETR T-shirt sales benefit the 46,106 Special Olympic New York athletes who complete year-round across the state.

This year’s State Summer Games will take place at SUNY Binghamton University with Opening Ceremonies on Thursday, June 12, 2008. If you are interested, please join us for Opening Ceremonies. It is an experience you will never forget! Planning is underway for many Regional Torch Run Legs as we speak! These dates are included along with contact information. If you are planning a leg in your neighborhood please reach out to me via email or phone and let me know the date, location and times so we can promote it! This information will be updated weekly on our web site at www.specialolympicsNY.org, click on the Torch Run link on the right hand side of the page.

Our largest and fastest growing LETR fundraiser is our Polar Plunges! In the 2007-2008 Polar Plunge series we had more than 2,000 Plungers brave the chilly New York waters in seven locations across the state, raising more than $600,000! We would like to reach the $1 million mark this year and we need your help! We are currently recruiting committee members for our Plunges in WNY, Rochester, Verona, Lake George, Rye, Fishkill, Staten Island and Long Island. If you are interested or would like more information on this amazing opportunity please contact me as soon as possible!

Thank you very much for your time and dedication to the Law Enforcement Torch Run!

Sincerely,



Renee Snyder
Senior Development Director
LETR Liaison * 518-388-0790 ext. 103 * rsnyder@nyso.org

Thank You to all of the Rochester area Law Enforcement for your support during the 2007 Fall Game in Rochester, NY!

Remember Winter Games will also be in Rochester February 8-10, 2008!

China, The journey continues

Well, it just gets better. We ran into the Torch Ceremony. and then out of it. The Ceremony was amazing. 100's of Dalian Officers and SWAT team members. they released doves and everything. The colors were beautiful. The 11 sites that all the teams ran to and had Ceremonies at was run so that 10 minutes of each one were broad cast to 1 billion people in China live on CCTV. It was truely amazing. It is like they said, you can not discribe the feeling or what you see. When we ran out, it was supposed to only be around the block because we had to go up to the Community Ceremony immediately, BUT, the streets were lined for a mile with 1000's of people, just cheering us on and chanting. the chills just ran up and down our spines. We ran and high 5'ed 1000's of people. then we went to the Community event and got hugh beautiful bouquets of flowers and their version of the indian dream catcher. Then we ran about another mile through the park, transfering the Torch off to several different Athletes so they could run with us. Then the Hotel, (which is truely amazing, They great us at the doors with smiles and love every time as if it was our first time in the door), Then we got a tour and demo at the elite China SWAT Team Academy. Then we went to the Mounted Womens Police Patrol Academy. It was unbelievable.
then we were the Honored guests of the Deputy Commisioner of Dilian for dinner in a privite room with all his heads of hs departments. It is the highest honor in China to do this. There were 27 different dishes and 42% alcohol, rice wine. It burned are nose hairs. He then took us on a walk thru the Dilian Park. We took the Torch along with us. And WOW !!!!!!!! People flocked to us for photo ops.
We have been treated like kings of kings. They trip over each other to help us and get us things. you can just feel the warmth and electricity flow from them. They are a very proud culture. I sent a few more pictures. I have a ton, plus we are getting DVD's from the hotel people that keep taking pictures with us. Plus from all the photographers once they put them together. Plus I have taken a lot of video. So there will be more.

Catch you all later.-- Sgt. Michael E. MurrayCOPS CARE Chairman

MIKE IS THERE!

Here is a few pics to start out. What a trip so far. The flight was very long........12 1/2 hours. Not looking forward to that going back. First couple of days were a lot of planning. We ran the Great Wall of China last night for the Torch Run Open Ceremonies. The Wall is very steep and very steep stairs. Incrediable. The site there were beautiful. Today we flew out to the most beautiful city in China, Dilian. And it is beautiful. The local police met us with cameras, video machines and flowers. What a reception. Then the hotel workers and management did the same. Treating us like royalty. The resturants they have feed us at are 5 1/2 star. Everything has been awesome.

I'll try and continue as I get more.


God Bless,


Mike