The Virtual Summer Series is in the final week of the running leg, the second part of the event, and participants have already cumulatively run over 4,100 kms.

Participants in this event include general public, Special Olympics athletes, law enforcement officers from agencies across Alberta and beyond, community members, and Special Olympics Alberta staff.

All are invited to join in the summer fun with registration remaining open until September 15th, 2020.

Matt Burton with the Alberta Sheriff's say the Virtual Summer Series has created a way for law enforcement officers to join together virtually and support our Special Olympics athletes, Burton said. “LETR has always fostered the ‘Inclusion Revolution’ for our Special Olympics athletes through our various fundraising efforts and events. But with most of our in-person events being put on hold for 2020, our law enforcement community, both provincially and globally, has rallied behind the Virtual Summer Series. Not only do we recognize the benefits of encouraging physical activity and health during these unprecedented times, but this event is also a way to raise some muchneeded funds for Special Olympics Alberta as they continue to offer virtual support and programming to our athletes.” Fundraising events like this, and the fact that many fundraisers have been postponed, have a big impact on organizations like Special Olympics Alberta.

“Special Olympics programs are made possible because of the generosity of our donors and sponsors,” said Johnny Byrne, CEO of Special Olympics Alberta. “We are very aware of the physical, mental and financial challenges that everyone is facing due to the pandemic, so we are continually looking for ways to respectfully engage with our supporters. The Virtual Summer Series has provided an innovative way to stay connected while being active and healthy. Events like these will be critical for us to ensure that our local programs across the province have the resources they need to restart safely.”

The Virtual Summer Series has over 110 participants from Alberta and beyond all logging their kms for Special Olympics. The biking leg, the first leg of the series which ran from June 15 to July 15, saw participants cycle over 18,000 cumulative kms. The event is bringing people together to enjoy the summer weather and stay active at the same time. Like other charities, there has been a lapse in funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This event offers the opportunity to raise these funds in a safe and social way! The overall fundraising goal has been set at $50,000, which will help support Special Olympics Alberta as it continues to offer online training and workouts, virtual social opportunities, and mental health support to over 3,300 athletes.

The Virtual Summer Series, a brand-new Alberta Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) event that is open to the public, kicked off on June 15 and runs until September 15. It was organized in response to the cancellation or postponement of all summer fundraising events that LETR would typically run over the summer months. Participants can join in and register anytime, with registration open right up until September 15. Additional information and registration is available here: www.specialolympics.ca/albertatorchrun/vss. Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Alberta Internationally, the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics is the largest grassroots fundraiser and awareness vehicle for Special Olympics. More than 85,000 law enforcement officers from 10 Canadian provinces and 3 territories, the 50 United States, and 46 countries internationally form the largest grass roots fundraiser for Special Olympics.

Last year in Alberta, over $600,000 was raised across the province, benefiting local programs. For more information on the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Alberta, please visit www.specialolympics.ca/albertatorchrun and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and Flickr. Special Olympics Alberta Special Olympics Alberta is dedicated to enriching the lives of Albertans with intellectual disabilities through the transformative power and joy of sport. Our vision is that sport will open hearts and minds towards people with intellectual disabilities and create inclusive communities. Special Olympics Alberta’s programs cater to all ages and a wide range of abilities to over 3,300 athletes in 140 communities. We provide world class sports programs that are run daily by over 950 volunteers and coaches. For more information on Special Olympics Alberta, visit, www.specialolympics.ca/alberta and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr, and YouTube.

 

Law Enforcement Run Website