Sarah Bamford’s first exposure to Special Olympics (SO) was in a coaching role.  In the late 1990s, Bamford had the opportunity to start her SO journey by coaching athletes in Figure Skating.  This included two athletes who competed at the 1996 National Winter Games and 1997 World Winter Games.  “The experience of working with athletes was one of many driving forces …

For 18 year Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) veteran Allen Schultz, it is pretty clear that his connection to the athletes of Special Olympics is the driving force behind his involvement with LETR.  “Each and every time I hear an athlete tell their story at the Provincial Kickoff Conference, I get that lump in my throat. Their stories, our commitments …

Peel Regional Police Staff Sergeant Jay Bouwkamp has worn many caps in the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) and Special Olympics (SO) world.  Bouwkamp has held positions as an Ontario LETR Zone Coordinator, Chair of the Peel Regional Police Torch Run committee and former Georgetown SO club manager.  However his most important role is the father of Jenna, his 18 …

Constable Shaun Beaulieu, Sault Ste. Marie Police Service   Shaun Beaulieu’s Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) and Special Olympics (SO) journey has taken him from being “volun-told” to set up a local run and barbeque while working for the Town of Espanola, to taking on the role of Games Manager to run the Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Winter Games in Sault Ste. Marie, …

The Special Olympics Ontario Winter Games 2011 in Thunder Bay featured a 5km Final Leg run in freezing temperatures reaching -50 degrees (with the wind chill).  This was Deb Muller’s introduction to the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) and Special Olympics (SO) but luckily the smiles and positive energy outweighed the cold temperatures that day.  “It is truly an amazing …