1. Introduction to the Guardians of the Flame
NEW COMER TORCH RUN
Introduction to the Guardians of the Flame
Sports Competition
LETR Relationship 19,000+ participants
Arizona

2. PRESENTED BY Kevin Albert Community Resource Officer
Paradise Valley Police Department
Former LETR State Director
Inaugural “Arizona LETR Legacy” Award Recipient

3. 112 LETR Programs in 45 countries
History Worldwide
1981: Wichita, Kansas Chief of Police Richard LaMunyon developed concept based around providing local law enforcement with volunteer opportunities for Special Olympics in their communities
TODAY that concept has become the largest public awareness vehicle and grass-roots fundraiser for Special Olympics worldwide
Known honorably as Guardians of the Flame, annually more than 97,000 law enforcement members join Special Olympics athletes to carry the “Flame of Hope”
USD $55,030,364 raised in 2015
112 LETR Programs in 45 countries

4. 2016 - Mission Contribution
Mission of LETR
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is a year round campaign aimed to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Arizona
Mission Contribution
Funds Raised: $1,450,000
2017 Goal: $1.6 Million

5. Five Year Strategic Plan
Goal: Reach $2 Million by Create statewide awareness of LETR 2.0 Create further engagement of LETR statewide 3.0 Increase overall funding 4.0 Increase involvement in Special Olympics Unified program
^Tempe PD hosting Unified Soccer Clinic^

6. LETR State Council
Law enforcement personnel (any level) meet bimonthly to discuss LETR Statewide activities, goals, finances, and related priorities to support the ongoing mission
State Director Lt. David Ramer, Chandler PD Assistant State Director Eric Abt, AZ Department of Corrections Assistant State Director A/C Scott Popp, Scottsdale PD

7. Southern & State Executive Committees
The Executive Committee serves as an advisory role and meets quarterly to determine how to best support various LETR efforts at an executive level through their departments. There is a Chair of the Executive Committee who serves for one year and has a Vice-Chair who will serve the following year. State Committee Past Chair Chief Alan Rodbell, Scottsdale PD Current Chair Director Charles Ryan, AZ Department of Corrections Vice Chair Assistant Chief Tony Lythgoe, Mesa PD Southern Committee Current Chair Chief Danmy Sharp, Oro Valley Police Department Vice Chair Sheriff Mark Napier

8. Signature Events Tip A Cop (Year-Round) Fry’s Fuel of Dreams (October)
Law enforcement will offer to pump customer’s gas and clean their windshield in exchange for donation to Special Olympics Arizona.
Tip A Cop (Year-Round)
Law enforcement partner with local restaurants to wait and bus tables as celebrity waiters alongside the restaurant staff

9. Signature Events Cop On Top Minute That Matters
Law enforcement officers and volunteers are stationed at store entrances and, sometimes, on the roof to collect donations from store patrons.
Minute That
Matters
Change is collected from all classrooms for one minute and all funds raised go back to that school’s Special Olympics Program.  

10. Signature Events Torch Run
The actual torch run is a week long relay where the Flame of Hope is ran through Arizona (through 7 legs) ending at the Summer Games Opening Ceremony.
Agency Fundraisers
Arizona Department of Public Safety DPS BBQ Gilbert Police Department Five-O Car Show Ak Chin Indian Police Bowling Tournament Avondale PD Burn It, Build It Exercise Challenge No Shave November, Biggest Loser, Raffles, and more!

11. Newest Signature Event: Guardian Games
Unified teams of 4 compete in 9 events Each team will consist of 1 Special Olympics Athlete, 2 sponsor participants, and 1 Law Enforcement Officer. The concept of the games is to develop a closer relationship between Special Olympics athletes, law enforcement and Arizona businesses through a fun and unique format.

12. Inmate Fundraising
Largest fundraising tool within LETR. $586,000 was raised in 2016 Inmates get to purchase approved items (food, bed sheets, etc.) but are expected to give a matching donation to LETR SOAZ supports by – Planning athlete visits Presenting LETR Award Quarterly Sending photos to display in the complexes

13. YOUR GUARDIAN’S GUIDEBOOK
Financial Protocols Event Notification Sheet Agency Committees Support and Resources

14. Thank you
Arizona