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Storm Special Olympics Teams Up with LSCF to Promote Torch Run

Torch Run Tour – Larned State Correctional Facility and Special Olympics representatives join forces on Friday in front of Great Bend Walmart to promote the upcoming Law Enforcement Torch Run. Left to right are Jim Graham (LSCF), Amanda Hammond (Storm Team local program coordinator), Cole Morin (Storm Team athlete), Kathy Graham (LSCF), and Jake LaMunyon (SOKS director of development for LETR).

The Storm Special Olympics organization teamed up with Larned State Correctional Facility personnel on Friday in front of Walmart, Great Bend, to promote this year’s upcoming Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR). The Torch Run is a global movement that raises awareness and funds for Special Olympics. It's the largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness campaign for Special Olympics, engaging more than 110,000 law enforcement personnel worldwide.

The area group sold Torch Run T-Shirts and took donations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They were joined by Jake LaMunyon, Director of Development for LETR at Special Olympics Kansas. His grandfather, Richard LaMunyon, then the Wichita Police Chief, began the torch run in 1981. Two years later, the elder LaMunyon presented his program to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), which endorsed the program and gave it nation-wide traction. Today, law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes from around the world carry the “Flame of Hope,” while they participate in various fundraising events.

Central Kansas’ leg of the Torch Run will take place Wednesday, May 14, beginning at 10:45 a.m. at Schnack Park, Larned. From there, area law enforcement officers and athletes will carry the Torch from 4th and Broadway to the Pawnee County Courthouse. A barbecue celebration will be held afterward.

LSCF representative Kathy Graham has been involved with the event for many years and has coordinated the area effort for the past six years. The area event grew significantly last year, and Graham said she expects it to be even bigger this year with Ellsworth Correctional Facility expected to join in the Larned Torch Run festivities.

Torch Run Trio – Larned State Correctional Facility representatives Penny Riedel and Charles Perez join Storm Team athlete Josh Trimmer in front of Walmart, Great Bend, on Friday to promote the upcoming Law Enforcement Torch Run. 

LaMunyon said that people who missed the opportunity to purchase this year’s Kansas Torch Run T-Shirt at Great Bend’s Walmart can still purchase them at the various LETR events going on throughout the state, as well as at the State Summer Games in Wichita next month. They can also inquire to Special Olympics Kansas at soks.org.

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For more information, contact Amanda Hammond, Storm Team Local Program Coordinator, AmandaH@rosewoodservices.com, 620-793-5888.

May 10, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood Services, 620-792-2536, MichaelD@rosewoodservices.com