THUNDER BAY – Local law enforcement personnel including Thunder Bay Police Chief Sylvie Hauth proudly announced a $44,250 donation to the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020 on Tuesday. The funds were raised by the local zone of the Law Enforcement Torch Run through a variety of activities and events hosted in communities across northwestern Ontario including Thunder Bay, Kenora, and Dryden.
“The bond between law enforcement and Special Olympics is alive and well in Thunder Bay and the surrounding area,” said local zone coordinator Tara Bottan. “Law enforcement personnel in Zone 1 have worked very hard over the past year to raise these funds for Special Olympics. We hope the momentum of the Games will help strengthen the Special Olympics programs in Thunder Bay and beyond.”
Bottan’s sentiments also rang true for Sgt. Mark McGugan of the London Police Service, the Director of the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run. McGugan added “We are incredibly proud to support the community of Thunder Bay for the 2020 National Winter Games. Provincially, we have thousands of dedicated volunteers who proudly carry the Flame of Hope for Special Olympics in their communities. Thunder Bay and all of Northwest Ontario have always been huge supporters of the Torch Run and Special Olympics and that pride is evident in the amount of contribution they have made to these Games. Great job LETR and good luck to our amazing athletes!”
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is the largest public awareness and grassroots fundraising organization for Special Olympics globally. The LETR is supported by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and has been an active partner of Special Olympics Canada since 1981.
Games Chair Barry Streib was on hand to share gratitude on behalf of the local Games Organizing Committee and everyone involved in the Games. “LETR is a longstanding and significant supporter of Special Olympics and we are honoured to see that tradition extend to our upcoming Games in Thunder Bay,” said Streib. “Beyond this incredibly generous contribution, local law enforcement is well represented among our volunteer roster for the Games and has been an important partner from the start of our planning. We thank everyone who has worked so hard to help make our athletes’ sports dreams come true.”
Donations are still being accepted in support of the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020. The Draft an Athlete program is close to its $300,000 fundraising goal but is counting on the community to help raise the remaining $60,000 in the weeks leading up to the Games.
The Games take place February 25-29. For more information and to Draft an Athlete, visit www.specialolympics2020.com
