LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN PRESENTED BY GILA RIVER HOTELS & CASINOS TO KICK OFF APRIL 26

2021 EVENT WILL FEATURE HYBRID VERSION OF VIRTUAL AND LIVE RUNS, APRIL 26 – MAY 14

The 2021 Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), presented by Gila River Hotels & Casinos, will kick off on April 26 with a hybrid version of the popular fundraiser that will feature both virtual and live runs leading into the 2021 Special Olympics Arizona Virtual Summer games, which is scheduled for May 14.  Interested participates can register online and purchase official 2021 Torch Run shirts at https://www.classy.org/event/2021-torch-run/e329045.

Those participating in the Torch Run virtually are encouraged to post pictures and videos of their virtual run, walk, and ride to Facebook and using the hashtag #AZLETR.

More than 2,000 Law Enforcement professionals throughout the state of Arizona will participate in this annual event from April 26 through May 14, posting photos and videos of their runs on social media to show support for Special Olympics Arizona and its athletes.

LETR is one of the largest grass roots fundraisers for Special Olympics across the country, including Special Olympics Arizona, and is the leading event for Arizona Law Enforcement to support SOAZ throughout the year.

“Our team at Gila River Hotels & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass, Lone Butte, and Vee Quiva -is proud to support Special Olympics Arizona because as a sports-centric brand, we value their mission to make sports inclusive to everyone,” said Gila River Hotels & Casinos Public Relations Manager Teaya Vicente. ” This is one example of how our Gila River Cares initiative is making a positive impact on the greater Arizona community, because we are not just sponsors, we are fans.”

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Arizona helps raise awareness, along with much-needed financial support, for SOAZ and helps to celebrate Inclusion and the greatness in all people, especially those individuals with intellectual disabilities.

“This is one of the biggest fundraisers every year to help support Special Olympics Arizona and we are extremely grateful to the thousands of Law Enforcement Officers who participate each year,” said Jamie Heckerman, President and CEO of Special Olympics Arizona.  “It’s been a trying year for everyone, but the dedication from all of those involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run to keep this going, even in a more virtual fashion, just shows how much they want to help support our Special Olympics Arizona athletes.”

The purpose of Special Olympics Arizona is to empower children and adults with intellectual disabilities to live healthy, fulfilling and meaningful lives. This vision of acceptance and inclusion is realized through health, leadership and advocacy programs, as well as providing year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving more 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.

Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) is the largest fundraising vehicle for Special Olympics across the globe. In Arizona, law enforcement around the state raise over one million dollars per year that goes directly back to creating increased opportunities for Special Olympics Arizona athletes. Without their support, continued development would be near impossible. In the same respect, we at Special Olympics Arizona would like to ensure that we share not only the impact that law enforcement personnel have had on our community but express our immense gratitude for all that they continue to do.