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Probation Department, together with the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, the Placerville Police Department, Placerville California Highway Patrol, South Lake Tahoe California Highway Patrol, El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, and California State Parks, recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign a Proclamation recognizing June 13, 2023, as “Torch Run Day.”
FUNDING: N/A
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Special Olympics is a global organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance, and inclusion among people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports, health, education, and community building, Special Olympics changes the lives of their 5.5 million athletes in 193 countries by providing opportunities and fighting intolerance, injustice, inactivity, and social isolation.
In 1981, the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) began when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw a need to involve law enforcement with his community and the Special Olympics. LETR has become the largest public awareness and fundraising group for the Special Olympics, with all 50 states and more than 46 countries participating and has raised over $600 million. Annually, almost 110,000 dedicated and compassionate law enforcement members participate in the LETR, symbolizing courage and celebration of diversity, uniting communities around the globe.
The Northern California LETR was established in 1997 and since then has raised over $20 million. On June 13, 2023, representatives from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, the Placerville Police Department, Placerville California Highway Patrol, South Lake Tahoe California Highway Patrol, the El Dorado County Probation Department, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, and California State Parks will be participating in the Northern California LETR in support of Special Olympics of Northern California.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to not approve the Pr...
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