Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Louisiana

LETR FUNDRAISING HANDBOOK - NEW!

2019 Runner Registration/Pledge Form - NEW!

Fundraiser Cash Donor Form

LETR Overview

Law enforcement officers from over 100 Louisiana agencies (police departments, sheriff’s offices, Louisiana Department of Corrections, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Customs, and all branches of the United States Military) all participate in the state-wide torch run to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Louisiana. Each year, over 3,000 officers carry the torch on a relay throughout Louisiana.
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Funds are generated through contributions from individuals and businesses along the way and through sales of the popular Torch Run T-shirts. The intrastate torch relay will culminate at the Opening Ceremony of our Special Olympics Louisiana State Summer Games in May.  Officers from around the state join together to bring the Flame of Hope™ into the stadium.
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​Torch Run Routes by Area

​For exact times and routes, please contact your local Police Department or Sheriff’s Department.  Dates/cities subject to change.

ACADIANA
​Lafayette Parish – Thursday, May 23, 2019
Pre-Run Activity:  Meet at the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office for pictures and the ceremonial lighting of the Flame of Hope.  The run will begin at 8am at Main and Lafayette.  Stop at the Apallo Intersection.  Board vehicles for the Carencro city limits North on LA 93 to Gloria Switch at the round-about.  Go East on Gloria Switch to University.  Turn left, heading north on University to starting point in Carencro.  Run through Carencro for about 2 mile.  Board vehicles to Opelousas *Set up vehicles at City Park @ Crestwell and 182. Down 182, onto 190 towards info center.Drink, food, music and fun after the run!  Contact: Aggie Trahan at 337-236-3906 or aggie.trahan@lafayettesheriff.com for more info.
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BAYOULAND
St. John the Baptist Parish – Thursday, May 16, 2019
Registration opens at 8am with the run at 9am.  Start location is Frostop (411 E. Airline Hwy, LaPlace) and travels to Twin Oaks Nursing Home, East St. John High School and Riverside Academy, before ending at St. Peter's Church (total of 8 miles).  After party at Frenier's Landing Restaurant and Oyster Bar (113 Dottie Lane, off of Peavine Rd. in LaPlace) from 11:30-12. There will be food, drinks, and music. Contact: Greg Baker at 504-382-6183 or  g.baker@stjohnsheriff.org

Lafourche Parish – Friday, May 17, 2019
Registration opens at 7:30am with the run at 8am.  Start location is Troop C (4047 West Park Ave.) and will continue to the Tourist Center ( 4484 Hwy 1, Raceland 70394) under the Raceland over pass. Hwy 1.  Following the run there will be a BBQ at the park around 10:30/11am with lots of food, drinks, music and fun. Contact: Nancy Comardelle at 985-449-4487 or nancy-comardelle@lpso.net.

St. Charles Parish – Friday, May 17, 2019
Run starts at 8:30am from River Road and Ormond Boulevard in Destrehan to the Knights of Columbus Hall (375 Spruce St.)   Contact: Susie Gauthier at sgauthier@stcharlessheriff.org

CAPITAL AREA
Ascension Parish – Saturday, May 4, 2019
Runners will meet at Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office (828 Irma Blvd) to be shuttled to Gonzales Municipal Park on Burnside Ave. for a 9am start.  The run will end at The ARC of East Ascension.  Contact: Bob Escamilla at 225-588-4084 or bescamilla@ascensionsheriff.com.

East Baton Rouge Parish – Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Official Torch Lighting Ceremony begins at 8:30am at the North Boulevard Town Square in downtown Baton Rouge. The Baton Rouge Torch Run will begin immediately after the ceremony. 

FLORIDA PARISHES
St. Tammany Parish – Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Check-in at 9:30am for 10am run.  Starts/ends at Mandeville Trailhead (675 Lafitte Street, Mandeville) and runs through Old Mandeville. 

Livingston Parish – Friday, May 24, 2019
Run starts at 9:30am at G.M. Varnado and Sons Automotive Center (2500 Florida Blvd SW, Denham Springs) and continues to the Livingston/Tangipahoa Parish line.

Tangipahoa Parish – May 24, 2019
Tangipahoa officers will receive the torch from the Livingston officers at the Tangipahoa Parish Line on Hwy 190 W. in front of Hammond State School and continue to Southeastern Louisiana University for State Summer Games Opening Ceremony.

GREATER NEW ORLEANS
Jefferson Parish – Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Registration at 7am for 8am run at Kenner Police Headquarters (500 Veterans Blvd.). Enter in the back gate of the building on Nick Congemi Drive, for check in, T-shirt pick up, and to load buses. Party hosted by KPD with lots of Drinks, Food, Music and Prizes.  Contact: Ninoska Guggenheim at 504-712-2395 or nguggenheim@kennerpd.com   OR  Ken Guichard at 504-363-5500 or guichard_kj@jpso.com.

Plaquemines Parish – Friday, May 17, 2019
Check-in at 6:30am; run starts at 7:10am. Starts and ends at (13629 Hwy 23 Jesuit Bend) and runs to multiple schools in the parish. Contact: Lauren Roussell Babin at 504-934-6882 or lroussell@ppso.net 
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NORTHEAST
East Carroll/West Carroll/Madison Parish - RUN INFO COMING SOON!
Oak Grove to Lake Providence to Tullulah

Union Parish - RUN INFO COMING SOON!

Moorehouse to Ouachita to Caldwell Parish – May 15, 2019
A brief ceremony will be held at Morehouse Parish Courthouse, north side of building (100 E. Madison Ave., Bastrop, 71220) and a walk with SOLA athletes around the building. 8:00am registration.  8:30am run.  59 miles to Columbia Bridge and finish the run to Georgetown before dinner on the river at Columbia.   Contact: Sharon Bacle at 318-680-1434 or sbacleopso@hotmail.com

NORTHWEST
Caddo/Bossier Parish – Media Run, May 17, 2019
Caddo/Bossier Parish - Torch Run, May 24, 2019
Agencies on the East side of the Red River will meet at Bossier City Civic Center, Bossier City and will end at Relay Station, 10281 Hwy-1 South, Shreveport LA.  Contact: Chad Davis at 318-773-2582 or chad.davis@caddosheriff.org.
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​DeSoto Parish - RUN INFO COMING SOON!

CENTRAL 
Red River/Natchitoches Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Check-in at 12:30am for 1pm run.  Runners will meet the North West Area at the Red River Parish Line on Hwy-1 and end at NSU Pavilion across from Prather Coliseum.  Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office will host a cookout for the runners and volunteers at the Pavilion area on Northwestern State University campus.   Contact:  Wendy Llorens at 318-357-2239 or wllorens@npsheriff.net
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Grant Parish – Wednesday, May 15, 2019
The run will begin at 8am at Grant Parish Courthouse  (200 Main Street, Colfax) after a welcoming ceremony.  They will end the run the courthouse.  The distance is 1 mile. Contact: Wendy Charrier at 318-447-0565 or wcharrier@rpso.la.gov.

Pollock Police Dept - Thursday, May 9, 2019
The run begins at 10am at the Pollock Ball Park on LA 8 and ends at Grant 1 Stop LA 165/LA8.

Catahoula Parish - May 14, 2019
Run begins at 11am at Magnolia Hill, Magnolia Street, Jonesville, and ends at Utility Baptist Church on LA 84.

LaSalle Parish – May 14, 2019
The run will begin at 9am at the LaSalle Courthouse (1050 Courthouse Street, Jena) with ceremony. They will end the run the courthouse.  The distance is 1 mile.   Contact: Wendy Charrier at 318-447-0565 or wcharrier@rpso.la.gov.

Rapides Parish – May 22, 2019
Runners will start at 9am from Pinecrest Supports and Services, 100 Pincrest Drive, Pineville.  10:30am @ Pinecrest City Court, Main Street, Pineville to Rapides Courthouse, Alexandria.  2pm Alexandria Police Dept, 1000 Bolton Ave, Alexandria, to Louisiana State Police Troop E, 1710 Odom Street, Alexandria. Contact: Wendy Charrier at 318-447-0565 or wcharrier@rpso.la.gov.

Alexandria – 2019 Date and Details TBA
At 7am, runners will go from Troop E, down (Odom Street to Bolton Avenue).  They will end the run at McAllister’s Deli (3601 Masonic Drive, #2525, Alexandria).  Distance 4.5 miles. Contact: Wendy Charrier at 318-447-0565 or wcharrier@rpso.la.gov

Red River/Natchitoches Parish – May 21, 2019
7am start at NSU Pavilion across from Prather Coliseum.  Natchitoches runners then continue on Highway 1 South (55 miles) into Rapides parish ending at Troop E in Alexandria at approx. 2:30 pm. Contact:  Wendy Llorens at 318-357-2239 or wllorens@npsheriff.net


SOUTHWEST
Calcasieu Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Check-in at 7:30am; run starts at 8am from Calcasieu Parish Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy (3958 Mallard Cove, Lake Charles, LA) and ends at Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, where the run will end (5400 E. Broad Street Lake Charles, LA)   Contact: Kayla Vincent at 337-302-1848 or kvincent@cpso.com.

LETR Resources

The Louisiana Law Enforcement Torch Run has successfully expanded because committed individuals and programs have generously shared ideas, resources and information. 
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Below are links to many of the resources you'll need as an active member of the Torch Run. Please contact Special Olympics Louisiana if you have any questions or need additional information about Torch Run activities in your area. If you are unsure who to contact, view our LETR Leaders page.

Click  here to find out about SOLA's fundraising events!Events
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Run Information

How to Register - This document explains the rules, registration deadlines and ordering processes for the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
LETR Rules & Guidelines
Standard Operating Procedures

Cash Form - Use this when having multiple donations/transactions monetary or inkind donations. This will help ensure that your donation and the donor are receiving proper recognition for the given donation.
Logo
Letterhead

If you are a member of a law enforcement agency and would like to become involved in the Louisiana Law Enforcement Torch Run movement, contact us.