The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics is the movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. At its most basic level, the Torch Run is an actual running event in which officers and athletes run the “Flame of Hope” to the Opening Ceremonies of local Special Olympics competitions, Provincial Games, and National Summer or Winter Games. At its most fully developed, the Torch Run initiative encompasses a variety of fundraising vehicles in addition to the Torch Run itself, such as T-shirt or merchandise sales, donations or pledges for runners in the Torch Run, corporate donations, special events such as Polar Plunges, golf tournaments or other events that have local appeal. The Torch Run operates under the direction of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, (OACP) and is recognized as the OACP charity of choice. All donations or pledges benefit Special Olympics’ athletes in Ontario. Special Olympics Ontario (SOO) is part of a dynamic world wide charitable organization dedicated to promoting a more active and better quality of life for people who have an intellectual disability, through their involvement of sport. All funds raised through Torch Run events are aimed at program support that directly affects all community-based Special Olympics activities. Funds are channeled both directly and in-directly into community programs, assisting with a variety of expenses including games travel, accommodation, meals, staff support, grants to new community programs, athlete training, public education, volunteer/coach training and development initiatives like school programs (which opens up opportunities to new younger athletes). It is important to have one provincial fundraiser that helps SOO create an “equitable” playing field. At SOO, small programs, large programs, big cities and small communities are treated with the same level of importance. The development of Special Olympics Ontario is directly related to the continued success of the Torch Run. It is through the dedication, commitment and passion of the men and women in Law Enforcement that enables the Ontario program to continue to be not only the #1 fundraising arm for Special Olympics Ontario, but a world-class program recognized Internationally for raising in excess of $1,000,000 each and every year!
The Flame of Hope burns brighter…
Because YOU care! | 
