The Kentucky Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Kentucky is the largest single grassroots fundraiser done on a yearly basis. Police organizations throughout the state raise money through a number of methods, including golf outings, trivia nights, T-shirt sales and bass tournaments among others. Participants are honored at the Summer Games as they escort the "Flame of Hope" into the stadium for the lighting of the ceremonial flame.
For the past 17 years the Law Enforcement agencies of Kentucky have banded together for this event and have raised funds to help benefit the more than 6,000 athletes whom we serve as an organization. The Kentucky Law Enforcement Torch Run annually generates more than $200,000 for Special Olympics Kentucky. The Torch Run involves more than 1,500 people on a yearly basis and the participants serve as a volunteer base for the Summer Games.
The Kentucky Law Enforcement Torch Run is sponsored by the State Fraternal Order of Police, Kentucky Sheriffs Association and the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police.
For more information about Torch Run events, please contact Special Olympics Kentucky President/CEO Dave Kerchner at 800-633-7403 for more information.
Kroger has long been a staple sponsor of Special Olympics Kentucky events, providing food and beverages at numerous Special Olympics competitions and fund-raising events, including the State Summer and Winter Games and the Ride to Win motorcycle rally. In addition to their support of the Polar Bear Plunges, Kroger also is a primary sponsor of the Ride to Win Poker Run.
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, The Kroger Co. is one of the nation's largest grocery retailers, with fiscal 2000 sales of $49 billion. The Kroger Co. spans many states and has nearly 100 grocery stores in Kentucky.
Texas Roadhouse began its corporate association with Special Olympics in 2000 with the Inaugural Armadillo Classic Golf Outing. That first event raised more than $50,000 dollars to benefit athletes in Kentucky with mental disabilities. Now, Texas Roadhouse contributes more than $100,000 to Special Olympics Kentucky annually through the Armadillo Classic, icon sales in restaurants and sponsorship of the Polar Bear Plunge in Lexington. In addition, Texas Roadhouse has raised money Special Olympics programs in all 28 states in which it has restaurants through a national icon sales promotion.
Texas Roadhouse combines casual family dining and a Southwest roadhouse atmosphere. From homemade rolls to fresh, hand-selected all-American aged beef, Texas Roadhouse uses the freshest ingredients available to produce its outstanding menu items. Based in Louisville, Texas Roadhouse has restaurants in 20 states, including seven locations in Kentucky.
CertiCell has signed on as Special Olympics Kentucky's newest State Sponsor. CertiCell is a Brentwood, Tenn., based company with an office in Louisville that specializes in the receipt, repair and redeployment of wireless electronic devices and encourages the recycling of mobile phones no longer in service.
Among the company's offerings is the Future Returns program. As part of CertiCell's sponsorship, Special Olympics Kentucky local delegations can participate in cell phone recycling programs as a fundraiser AT NO COST. For more information about the Future Returns program, contact Kim Whitehurst, Program Manager for Future Returns at 615-349-3170 or at kwhitehurst@certicell.com
Dial America contributes 12 1/2% of all magazine subscription orders it takes in Kentucky to Special Olympics Kentucky, generating more than $15,000 annually for the program.
Dial America is one of the largest privately held telemarketing companies in the country. It is also the preeminent magazine subscription marketer in America.
Procter & Gamble partners with Special Olympics nationwide, allowing state programs to incorporate P&G product promotion into other marketing efforts. For the past several years, P&G has donated a portion of January product sales to Special Olympics programs nationwide, contributing more than $10,000 in Kentucky each year. In all, Procter and Gamble has contributed more than $300,000 to the program since 1998 .
Established in 1837, Procter & Gamble (P&G) began as a small, family-operated soap and candle company in Cincinnati, Ohio. From that modest beginning, P&G has grown into a global company, which today has sales in over 140 countries and operations in more than 70 countries. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, P&G is a recognized leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of a broad range of superior quality products including Crest toothpaste, Tide laundry detergent, Ivory soap and Pampers diapers, to name just a few.
The two organizations have been vital supporters of the Special Olympics movement in Kentucky for more than 20 years.
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual-help, wartime veterans organization. It has grown into a community-service organization which now numbers nearly 3 million members — men and women — in nearly 15,000 American Legion Posts worldwide. Membership eligibility in The American Legion is based on honorable federal active duty service with the U.S. Armed Forces during any period of foreign conflict.
The American Legion Auxiliary, organized in 1919 to assist The American Legion, is much more than the name implies. The organization has achieved its own unique identity while working side-by-side with the veterans who belong to The American Legion. Like the Legion, the Auxiliary's interests have broadened to encompass the entire community.
The American Legion Auxiliary is the world's largest women's patriotic service organization. Through its nearly 12,000 Units located in every state and some foreign countries, the Auxiliary embodies the spirit of America that has prevailed through war and peace.
Civitan has been a consistent supporter of Special Olympics in Kentucky raising money through a number of programs. Civitan contributes more than $25,000 annually to Special Olympics Kentucky. Civitan also provides volunteer support for a number of Special Olympics Kentucky competitions and fundraising events.
Civitan was founded in 1917 in Birmingham, Alabama, by a group of businessmen wishing to make their community better. From there, Civitan has grown into an international organization of men, women, and teenagers in 21 countries around the world.
The mission of Civitan is to build good citizenship by providing a volunteer organization of clubs dedicated to serving individual and community needs with an emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities.
Both the Kentucky Department American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary hold a number of fundraisers during the year to support Special Olympics Kentucky statewide programs. This has meant more than $20,000 per year to Special Olympics Kentucky in each of the past several years. The two organizations raise at least an equal amount that is put into Special Olympics programs at the local level throughout the state. In addition to their financial support, the Kentucky Department American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary provide countless volunteers for both local and statewide Special Olympics events.
