SOMO News
SOMO to announce Drive it Home Raffle winner and honor law enforcement at Law Enforcement Torch Run Celebration Lunch
JEFFERSON CITY – Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) is excited to host its 2022 Law Enforcement Torch Run Celebration Lunch at the Training for Life Campus on Friday, Dec. 9.
This past year, law enforcement agencies across the state raised more than $1 million for SOMO. They are also some of our most active volunteers, consistently donating their time at our events.
“Special Olympics Missouri is so fortunate to have such a great partnership with law enforcement all across the state,” said SOMO’s Sr. Director of Community Development Crystal Schuster. “These officers work so hard all year long to raise awareness and funds for SOMO athletes – so it’s only appropriate that we take the time to recognize them and thank them for all that they do.”
The event will begin with the Drive it Home Raffle drawing at 11 a.m. This year, one lucky winner will receive a brand new 2022 Ford Ranger XLT 4×4 truck! SOMO will announce the 50/50 raffle winner as well. This year’s Drive it Home Raffle promotion began on July 1. The annual raffle is powered by the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association and Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Missouri. Since July 1, law enforcement agencies across the state have helped sell raffle tickets, which helped raise more than $100,000 for SOMO!
After the drawing, SOMO will hold an awards banquet for roughly 200 members of law enforcement at 11:45 a.m.
“The awards banquet is a perfect opportunity to bring them all together, along with SOMO staff, board members and athletes,” Schuster said. “We can’t wait to honor them for all of their hard work and accomplishments this year.”
During the banquet, SOMO will announce its 2022 John Michael Letz Award. This award is the highest honor given within the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Missouri. It is our unsung hero award. The first recipient of this award was Ralph Biele who was instrumental in starting the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Missouri more than 30 years ago. The 2021 John Michael Letz award winner, Susan Stegeman, will announce this year’s winner during the ceremony.
Thank you to our great sponsors for this event: Lighting Associates, Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Missouri and the Missouri Police Chiefs Association
Media Members can RSVP to Andrew Kauffman: Kauffman@somo.org
Special Olympics Missouri
Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Thousands of athletes participate in 16 Olympic-type sports throughout the state. SOMO provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their fellow athletes, their family and friends, and communities across Missouri.
SOMO is proud of our financial health, returning 78% of every dollar back to program services. We are privileged to be recognized with these honors: Better Business Bureau A+ Charity Accreditation, Guidestar Gold Level and Charity Navigator 4-star rating. Special Olympics was also recently named Morning Consult’s No. 4 most trusted nonprofit.
Thank you for trusting us with your donations, volunteer time and your goodwill.
Visit Special Olympics Missouri at www.somo.org. Engage with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.