The Alberta Sheriffs held a Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) BBQ on August 12 at the Cornerstone Co-op Pharmacy parking lot in Vermilion in support of the Special Olympics Alberta.
Residents who decided to stop by and support the event were able to purchase a hotdog or hamburger meal that included a bag of chips and a pop for $7.
Attendees also had the opportunity to take a ride in the bucket of the Vermilion Fire & Rescue ladder as well as participate in a 50/50 draw.
“The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Alberta is the official charity of choice for the Alberta’s Association of Chief’s of Police, and their mission is to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement,” explained Sheriff Thomas Bidell. He also mentioned that the LETR was established in 1987 in Alberta and since its inception, it has raised over $9 million for Special Olympics Alberta.
While community Torch Runs are the main awareness campaigns the LETR fundraising is a 365-day-a-year movement that raised $610,000 in 2018.
Special Olympics Canada is a grassroots international organization, but Special Olympics Alberta specifically supports Special Olympics in Alberta. The organization provides training opportunities in 18 sports including, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing and speed skating in the winter and 5-pin bowling, 10-pin bowling, basketball, bocce, golf, powerlifting, gymnastics, soccer, softball and swimming for the summer category.