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Spring 2011 Edition
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The Law Enforcement Torch Run: One Mother's Thanks
What is so special about Special Olympics that Law Enforcement takes part in fund raisers like Tip-A-Cop® events (waiting on tables at local restaurants), plunging into the cold waters at our Polar Plunge, and running across Florida carrying the torch toward the annual State Summer Games?
The answer is the Special Olympics athletes who inspire them, like my daughter Julie Ann Miebach, who started over 25 years ago as a first grader in Broward County. Julie was born with Spina Bifida and other complications which resulted in 51 surgeries and being hospitalized 64 times from a week and up to 6 weeks.
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The 2011 Law Enforcement Torch Run is almost over! Thank you to the law enforcement community for purchasing and promoting LETR merchandise.
Please send in money from merchandise sales, especially checks, as soon as you can, to Laura Collins, LETR Manager, Special Olympics Florida at 1915 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont, FL 34711.
If you are no longer selling, please inventory your merchandise and send back any unsold pieces as we still have lots of agencies desiring merchandise. You may also bring any unsold merchandise with you to the Final Leg.
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Florida Represented in World Games Final Leg
Congratulations to SA Larry Andres on being selected to represent the Torch Run and Special Olympics Florida by participating in the 2011 Final Leg for the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece!
Larry will be helping to fulfill the mission of raising awareness for Special Olympics and the World Games by carrying the Flame of Hope to nearly a hundred towns and communities throughout all of Greece, as well as Istanbul and Cyprus. There will be ten Special Olympics athletes leading the way on this unified Final Leg.
Larry has been a Special Agent with FDLE for the past 10 years, and has been participating in the Florida Torch Run for six years. As a volunteer, he handles a multi-county region of South Florida, coordinating the Torch Run in Dade County, and helping to coordinate the Torch Run and Torch Run fundraising events in the others.
The Lighting of the Flame for the Special Olympics World Summer Games will take place at the Holy Rock of Pnyx, opposite the Acropolis of Athens, Greece on June 9, presided over by the President of the Hellenic Republic and many officials. In keeping with tradition, the rays of the sun will ignite the Flame and the entire ceremony will take place along the lines of the original Torch Lighting of the Olympics Games.
Following the Flame Lighting Ceremony, the Final Leg Team begins the Final Leg run and will pass in front of the Acropolis, the Herodeios Theatre, the Museum of Acropolis, the Parliament and the Presidential Palace, where a Welcome Ceremony will take place. On Friday, June 10, the Torch Runners split into three teams and the journey of the Flame begins.
Florida is sending 19 athletes to compete at the World Summer Games.
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Attorney General Pam Bondi Becomes Honorary Chair of the Annual Florida Law Enforcement Torch Run
Special Olympics Florida is proud to announce the appointment of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to its statewide Board of Directors and to the position of Honorary Chair of the annual Florida Law Enforcement Torch Run. Bondi’s first acts were to sponsor a resolution wherein the Florida Cabinet declared March 9, 2011 “Special Olympics Day” in the state of Florida, and she presided over the annual Torch Run Capitol Ceremony in Tallahassee. Attorney General Bondi is scheduled to attend the Torch Run Final Leg on May 13 at the Opening Ceremony of the State Summer Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. “We are greatly honored to have Attorney General Bondi lending her support and voice to the 15,000 athletes of Special Olympics Florida and their families,” said Special Olympics Florida President Monty Castevens, adding “we have a great tradition of Florida’s Attorney Generals supporting Special Olympics and the Law Enforcement Torch Run – her support brings much needed awareness to the population we serve and recognition to those who champion them.” “Serving on the Special Olympics Board of Directors is uniquely fulfilling to me as my niece, Emma, has Down syndrome,” said Attorney General Bondi. “Children and adults with special needs hold a dear place in my heart, and I am eager to assist in any way possible.” Pam Bondi is the 37th Attorney General of Florida, elected in November 2010.
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Still Time to be part of
the Final Leg
Please join law enforcement agencies from around the state for the “Final Leg” of the Florida Law Enforcement Torch Run to open the State Summer Games on Friday, May 13!
The journey of the Flame of Hope culminates at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney. The entrance of the Torch, carried by the Guardians of the Flame, is the highlight of the Opening Ceremony.
The Final Leg is preceded by a dinner for law enforcement. Agencies/officers must
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
, LETR Manager. Runners and vehicles/motor units welcomed!
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Get Social with the Torch Run!
Also, many of you have done a great job of posting to our Facebook page about your special events and runs. Keep it up - we love to see your posts so that all of our fans can appreciate your efforts!
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Star & Shield: Gold Medal Sponsor of Torch Run
Noticed our shiny new Torch Run truck making appearances throughout the state? It's all thanks to Star & Shield Insurance Exchange, our new Gold Medal Sponsor, for providing the sponsorship to purchase the truck!
(Pictured: Special Olympics staff and athletes with Star & Shield and law enforcement representatives)
Star & Shield Insurance Exchange (Star & Shield®) is a home and auto insurance company created for and dedicated to the law enforcement, corrections, fire rescue, EMS communities and their families. As a member-owned company, the members (“policyholders”) benefit with the company’s success, not outside stockholders.
Star & Shield is dedicated to giving back and couldn't think of a better way to do so than supporting those organizations that our important to its membership. "Star & Shield Insurance Exchange greatly appreciates the opportunity to support the efforts of the men and women participating in the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.," said Allen D. Durham, President and CEO of Star & Shield Insurance Exchange.
For more information about Star & Shield, please visit us online at www.StarAndShield.com or call 1-866-942-9822. Coverage is currently available in Florida.
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Duffy's Sports Grill: New Gold Medal Sponsors of Torch Run
We are pleased to welcome Duffy's Sports Grill as the newest Gold Medal sponsor of the Torch Run!
Throughout the spring, Duffy's hosted several Tip-A-Cop® events and fundraising and awareness-raising events for Special Olympics Florida.
And during May, stop in your neighborhood Duffy's Sports Grill to try the limited-time-only waffle and ice cream sundae benefiting Special Olympics Florida. That's right, it’s guilt-free dessert because you're helping our athletes with every bite!
Big thanks to Duffy's and to our law enforcement partners who have conducted Tip-A-Cop events at their locations.
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Red Robin - Tip-A-Cop®
The nationwide Red Robin campaign was a great success here in Florida. Five Tip-A-Cop events were held: Pensacola, Panama City Beach, Fort Myers, and two in Tampa. Thanks to the great staff at Red Robin, and our fabulous Law Enforcement celebrity waiters, we raised over $10,000 in one day!
Thank you to everyone who participated!
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Press/Multimedia 
