Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Houghton City Police Lieutenant Nick Roberts thumbs through pages of information on the upcoming annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Flame of Hope Week. Roberts said his department is in trying to raise funds for Special Olympics Michigan.

HOUGHTON – With the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics less than a month away, Houghton Police Lieutenant Nick Roberts said his department has been tasked with raising $2,500 for the cause. The fundraising run, Law Enforcment Flame of Hope Week, is hosted annually between Sept. 6 – 12.

“This event is close to our hearts, as it aims to raise funds and create awareness for the athletes of Special Olympics Michigan,” LETR Liason for Special Olympics Michigan Andra Rockho said in an email.

During the event, Michigan’s law enforcement, corrections, and Special Olympics Michigan supporters will participate in many events throughout the state, Rockho’s email said.

“We will have our annual Central Route, which kicks off in Copper Harbor and ends on Belle Isle, as well as multiple Travel Teams that visit different communities throughout the week. These runners will help raise funds and create awareness for the athletes of Special Olympics Michigan.”

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the single largest grassroots fundraising effort for Special Olympics International. To help raise money for the Flame of Hope Week event, Roberts said there is a special 5K run scheduled for Sept. 6 to help the Torch Run help support Special Olympics. He said the run will not be timed, nor considered a race. “We just want people to show up, join in the run and donate money.”

Roberts said there will be some surprises, too. The department has prizes from different restaurants and other businesses, which were all donated to be awarded during the event.

“You can say we will have giveaways,” Roberts said. “They won’t be prizes, because there’s not a winner

“They (LETR) have the Torch Run every year around this time,” Roberts said. “It starts in Copper Harbor and goes all the way down to Belle Isle, at Detroit.” They have different teams and different members of law enforcement that will do the run, and they’ll be collecting donations as they go.”

The Special Olympics Michigan website, somi.org/letr, states as Michigan’s Special Olympics program continues to grow, more funding is needed to support the athletes and their families because there is no cost to participate.

“This is where the support of the law enforcement community becomes crucial,” the website states.

Rackho stated in her email all proceeds from the event will help Special Olympics Michigan achieve its goals and will cover all registration fees at the state and regional tournaments. There is no cost to the athletes and their families. “The funds from this event support 20,000+ children and adults with intellectual disabilities, in Michigan who participate in Special Olympics programs throughout the state.” Rockho said.