Supporting Special Olympics in new virtual event

Posted on: Staff Writer

From edition: June 19 2020 Strathmore Times

By Janet Kanters, Editor

Registration is now open for the Virtual Summer Series, a brand-new Alberta Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) event, running from June 15 to Sept. 15.

The event was organized in response to the cancellation or postponement of all summer fundraising events that LETR would typically run over the summer months. 

Internationally, the LETR for Special Olympics is the largest grassroots fundraiser and awareness vehicle for Special Olympics. More than 85,000 law enforcement officers from 10 Canadian provinces and three territories, the 50 United States, and 46 countries internationally form the largest grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics. Last year in Alberta, over $600,000 was raised across the province, benefiting local programs.

This year, the Virtual Summer Series takes place in three legs, with a 30-day suggested time frame for each leg: bike from June 15-July 15, run from July 15-Aug. 15, and walk from Aug. 15-Sept. 15.

Participants can register for one, two or all three legs of the event, and can set individual distance goals based on ability levels.

Each leg of the series is $15 to register, and participants can join in and register anytime. Those that complete all three legs will receive a 2020 Virtual Summer Series medal. 

As well as a way to encourage individual and teams to get active, this event is a fundraiser. Participants are encouraged to raise pledges while they are participating in any of the legs of the event, with incentives to help set fundraising goals.

The overall fundraising goal has been set at $50,000, which will help support Special Olympics Alberta as it continues to offer online training and workouts, virtual social opportunities and mental health support to over 3,300 athletes. 

This event is open to the public and folks from across the world are invited to participate – participants from the U.S. and Scotland have already joined in. 

For more information or to register, visit their website (www.specialolympics.ca/albertatorchrun/vss).