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Storm Special Olympics and Larned Law Enforcement Team Up for Torch Run Promotion

Torch Run Team – Larned Law Enforcement 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 Jake LaMunyon (SOKS director of development for LETR), Kathy Graham (LSCF), Josh Trimmer and Austin Levingston (Storm Team athletes), Antonio “TJ” Hearn (Interim Chief of Police, Larned), and Jim Graham (LSCF).

The Storm Special Olympics organization teamed up with personnel from Larned State Correctional Facility and Larned Police Department today (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 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. New this year, they also sold commemorative Law Enforcement Torch Run challenge coins. 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 20, 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.

LETR Team Two – Covering the west entrance of Walmart, Great Bend, on Friday for LETR T-Shirt and coin sales and taking of donations is (left to right) Anthony Lemuz (LSCF), Steve Smolik (Storm athlete), Penny Riedel (LSCF), Amanda Hammond (Storm Team local program coordinator), and Laurel Fellers (Storm volunteer).

LSCF representative Kathy Graham has been involved with the event for many years and has coordinated the area effort for the past seven years. The area event has grown significantly the past two years, and Graham said she expects it to be just as big this year with Ellsworth Correctional Facility joining in the Larned Torch Run festivities for the second consecutive year.

LaMunyon said that people who missed the opportunity to purchase this year’s Kansas Torch Run T-Shirt and/or challenge coin 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 at Maize South High School next month. They can also inquire to Special Olympics Kansas at soks.org.

-STORM-

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

May 15, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood Services, 620-792-2536, MichaelD@rosewoodservices.com