Our sponsors, both large and small, allow us to deliver top-notch programming in sports training and competition, health and wellness, leadership and life skills, and much more. Each area has its own sponsors that are listed on their area pages, but here we highlight our statewide partners and large donors who have committed not just money, but resources and volunteer hours toward making the world a more inclusive place for people with intellectual disabilities.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor at any level, please reach out to us!
We encourage you to check out our statewide partner benefits here!
About the Law Enforcement Torch Run
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® began 40 years ago in Kansas as a vision of Chief Richard LaMunyon, who wanted to give his officers an opportunity to participate in something positive. Today, the LETR is held in 50 states and 42 countries around the world. The LETR has raised more than $1 billion since its inception and recruits more than 90,000 law enforcement officers from all over the world. In 2022, our Missouri LETR raised more than $1.2 million for Special Olympics Missouri!
Missouri's Torch Run
- LETR Kickoff Registration
- LETR Agency - Update contact information
- Statewide Routes Registration Form
- Final Leg Registration Form
- Revenue Source Form
The Missouri Police Chiefs Association is the founding law enforcement organization for Missouri's Torch Run for Special Olympics. What began in 1986 as a 30-mile run is now an 11-day relay covering more than 950 miles with more than 2,500 runners. It originates in more than 40 locations and culminates at the site of the State Summer Games. 2023 represents the 37th year that Missouri Law enforcement officers have supported SOMO and in May 2023, officers will participate in the 38th annual Torch Run across the state.
It's more than a run; the Torch Run is a campaign to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics. The mission of the LETR is to raise both dollars and awareness for Special Olympics. There are 141 agencies and 5,000 officers working year-round in Missouri to accomplish this goal; they are some of our greatest volunteers. All funds raised go toward supporting Special Olympics Missouri's year-round sports training and athletic competition program for thousands of Special Olympics Missouri athletes across the state.
Many agencies hold special events like Tip-A-Cops, motorcycle events, golf tournaments and trivia nights. Partners like Casey's General Stores conduct promotions that raise funds and generate awareness as well. A major source of funding comes from the sale of Torch Run T-shirts that feature a new design each year. Sponsors and corporate donations help round out these fundraising efforts. Our three statewide signature events are all LETR projects. They are hosted and planned by Law Enforcement agencies for their charity of choice - Special Olympics Missouri! These events are: Polar Plunges, Over the Edge, and Drive it Home Raffle.
State sponsorships are available for companies and organizations seeking to align themselves with law enforcement to help Special Olympics. International Events Group (IEG) worked with us to develop our sponsorship package and offer the most valuable benefits for our partners.
To fundraise for us, download this event application.
Torch Run Merchandise
The 2024 LETR t-shirts were unveiled at the LETR Awards Banquet on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 at the Training for Life Campus. To place orders for the 2024 shirts, please use the links below.
* If you want to place an order for a 2023 LETR t-shirt (see picture above) please email Crystal Schuster at cschuster@somo.org.
Agencies raise awareness and money by selling Torch Run T-shirts. It's easy and it can help you reach Torch Club status. Order forms can be found below. Orders are placed every Thursday.
Torch Run merchandise forms:
- 2024 LETR short sleeve shirt order form
- 2024 LETR long sleeve shirt order form
- 2024 LETR youth short sleeve shirt order form
- 2024 LETR hat order form
LETR 2023
For more than 36 years, Missouri Law Enforcement agencies have participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR). This run turned fundraising campaign raises more than just thousands of dollars for Special Olympics Missouri. “It truly inspires you,” says Lieutenant Steve Davis of Missouri State Highway Patrol, Troop I. Davis, an LETR participant for over 18 years, states that being involved with the run has become a true passion and is a charity unlike any other. His favorite memory, like many other officers, involves placing the medals around the athletes’ necks. For him, this memory changes into a reoccurring reality at the Spring Games in Waynesville, MO. Davis enjoys the local atmosphere and support his agency receives from the community. “It is one of the most exciting and rewarding feelings.”
Besides running hundreds of miles through the Show-Me state, officers volunteer at the Special Olympics competitions and participate in fundraisers throughout the year to benefit the organization. Sgt. Jeff Fugett (Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop D), volunteered to be on set-up crew for the Summer Games in Columbia at the University of Missouri. He also participated in the Final Leg of the LETR. Like Davis, Jeff believes in the vision of the Law Enforcement Torch Run. “To actually see the excitement we give the athletes makes us all very happy and appreciative. It takes everything I have not to tear up. This is why we do it. So they can experience something they normally couldn’t.” Major Tim Goebel, with Missouri Department of Corrections, feels the same way, “I do it to see the look on the athlete’s face when they receive a medal, there is nothing like it. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to bring pride and joy to them.”
The Law Enforcement Torch Run ® gives officers, athletes and the community the opportunity to come together for a superior cause. Whether one is inspired to volunteer, donate or participate, they can be confident knowing they are supporting the Special Olympics’ mission statement by “giving children and adults with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.”
Torch Club Agencies
Congrats to the LETR agencies who are listed on the backs of the 2023 LETR T-shirts. Thank you for your hard work to raise at least $1,000 between Sept. 1, 2021 and Aug. 31, 2022!
- Alcohol & Tobacco Control
- Algoa Correctional Center
- Arnold PD
- Ballwin PD
- Blue Springs Schools DPS
- Boonville Correctional Center
- Branson PD
- Brentwood PD
- Bridgeton PD
- Byrnes Mill PS
- Camdenton PD
- Cape Girardeau PD
- Cass County Sheriff's Dept.
- Chesterfield PD
- Chillicothe Correctional Center
- Christian County Sheriff's Dept.
- Clay County Sheriff's Dept.
- Clayton PD
- Cole County Sherriff’s Dept.
- Columbia PD
- Crestwood PD
- Creve Coeur PD
- DPS Director's Office
- Eureka PD
- Farmington Correctional Center
- FBI Eastern District
- Festus PD
- Florissant PD
- Glendale PD
- Greene County Sheriff's Dept.
- Harris-Stowe DPS
- Hazelwood PD
- Jefferson City Correctional Center
- Jefferson City PD
- Joplin PD
- Kansas City PD
- KC Univ. - Safety & Emergency Management
- Kirksville PD
- Kirkwood PD
- Lake St Louis PD
- Lee’s Summit PD
- Liberty PD
- Lincoln County Sheriff's Dept.
- Manchester PD
- Maplewood PD
- Maryland Heights PD
- Maryville Treatment Center
- Military Police Fort Leonard Wood
- MO Capitol Police
- MO Dept. of Conservation
- MO Park Rangers
- Moberly Correctional Center
- MSHP - Criminal Justice Info Services
- MSHP - GHQ
- MSHP - Troop B
- MSHP - Troop C
- MSHP - Troop D
- MSHP - Troop F
- MSHP - Troop G
- MSHP - Troop I
- Northeast Correctional Center
- Oak Grove PD
- O'Fallon PD
- Olivette PD
- Osage Beach Police Dept.
- Overland PD
- Ozark PD
- Platte City PD
- Platte County Sherriff’s Dept.
- Richmond Heights PD
- Riverside PD
- Rolla PD
- South Central Correctional Center
- Springfield PD
- Springfield Schools PD
- St. Charles County Police Dept.
- St. Charles Co Sheriff's Dept.
- St. Charles PD
- St. Joseph PD
- St. Louis County PD
- St. Louis Metro PD
- St. Louis University DPS
- St. Peters PD
- Ste Genevieve County Sheriff's Dept.
- Sunset Hills PD
- Tipton Correctional Center
- Town and Country PD
- Union PD
- University City PD
- Warrenton PD
- Washington PD
- Webster Groves PD
- Wentzville PD
- Western MO Correctional Center
About Missouri Association of Student Councils
Special Olympics has been the charity of choice for the Missouri Association of Student Councils and its members for more than 25 years. All students have benefited by their partnership. MASC has contributed to the mission of Special Olympics in several ways that have impacted the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
For more information on this partnership, contact us!
Interested in the Unified Champion Schools program and the School of Character application?
- SOMO State YAC is a member of MASC and is recognized as a Student Council
- MASC schools host events for SOMO across the state
- MASC Schools provide 1,000s of hours of volunteer service across the state
- MASC supports themed STW campaign
- 2020 Plunge Numbers: 1,081 plungers totaling $124,754.52
- In 2017, MASC celebrated the million-dollar milestone in partnership with Special Olympics Missouri. Since 2009, MASC has raised more than $1 million to benefit our athletes.
- SOMO athletes attend the MASC Leadership Workshop (week-long camp) each year to learn valuable leadership skills and work along side their peers
- MASC is a leader in promoting social inclusion, acceptance and respect of ALL individuals across the state
- MASC schools host Young Athlete Programs
- MASC schools have SOMO athletes on their Student Councils
- MASC holds an annual duck race at their Leadership Camp each year to raise money for SOMO which has generated $33,000 in the past 9 years
The significant contribution of time, energy and financial support from the Missouri Association of Student Councils is greatly appreciated and of paramount value to the SOMO athletes. Learn more about the MASC through its website.
About Knights of Columbus
For more than 30 years, Special Olympics Missouri and the Missouri Knights of Columbus have held a close partnership, together serving individuals with intellectual disabilities. Through this partnership, thousands of athletes across the state of Missouri are able to discover new strengths, abilities, skills and success through the power of sports in Special Olympics.
For more information on this partnership, email us.
A big pledge
In 2014, the Missouri State Council Knights of Columbus decided to enhance our partnership with SOMO by accepting a challenge to raise $1.2 million over six years to be used for the construction of the SOMO Training for Life Campus.
The Training for Life Campus is a 34,000 square foot facility that is set on 16.5 acres centrally located in Jefferson City, Missouri and is the first facility of its kind in the world, dedicated to enriching the quality of life of the whole athlete on and off the sports field. In addition to offering year-round sports training through camps and programs, the Training for Life Campus houses four Healthy Athletes exam rooms that allow SOMO to offer more critical health screenings to its constituents than ever before. The Campus also offers an unlimited array of job-skills and leadership training for athletes through its Athlete Leadership Program.
The Training for Life Campus is rightfully gaining attention from Special Olympics programs around the globe that are recognizing its extraordinary impact. This six year challenge was officially completed in June 2020! The Sports Education Multi-Media Center within the TLC carries the name Missouri State Council Knights of Columbus.
About Diamond Pet Foods
In 2021, following many years of continued support, Special Olympics Missouri began a statewide partnership with Diamond Pet Foods, a family-owned business. A passion for making quality pet food for 50 years, the company is one of the fastest growing pet food manufacturers in the country, trusted by professional breeders, trainers, veterinarians and pet owners in all 50 states and in 100 countries around the world.
For 50 years, Special Olympics has been spreading the message: people with intellectual disabilities can-and will-succeed when given the chance. This partnership with Diamond Pet Foods, will expand and grow our programs and support our Special Olympics Missouri athletes. This gift is an investment in SOMO for today and into the future.
About University of Missouri System
In November 2019, Special Olympics Missouri announced a statewide partnership with the University of Missouri System, the University of Missouri and MU Health Care. This partnership opens up countless opportunities between our organization and UM System's and MU Health Care's resources, employees and students.
Whether it's via recruiting personal trainers for our health & wellness program, mentors and instructors for our Athlete Leadership program, volunteers for our year-round sports training and competition program or anything in between, this partnership will make a world of difference for our organization and, most importantly, the thousands of people with intellectual disabilities and their families that we serve on a daily basis.
For more information about this partnership, email us.
Rusty Drewing Automotive became a statewide sponsor for Special Olympics Missouri in January 2024. Rusty has been a huge supporter of SOMO for years, and we're so excited to recognize him and his dealerships as a statewide partner.
Rusty Drewing poses for a photo with Special Olympics Missouri athletes and Chiefs star Willie Gay at Rusty Drewing Toyota. Rusty invited our Special Olympics Missouri athletes to personally meet Willie Gay and the KC Wolf.