Steve Landers Auto Group has the pleasure and privilege of sponsoring the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics Arkansas (SOAR) for the second year.
For the past 30 years, LETR has been held in all 50 states as well as 35 countries. Throughout those 30 years, $7.2 million has been raised for the Special Olympics. Locally, LETR is an organization of Arkansas law enforcement officers who host special events throughout the year to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Arkansas. This culminates each year in officers running a multi-day relay with torches originating in 12 locations throughout the state and arriving in Searcy, the site of the Summer Games.
The last leg of the torch run began Thursday morning with a press conference in front of the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock. LETR, SOAR, partners, sponsors, Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin and others spoke during the press conference.
Sponsors were given awards, sponsor Centennial Bank gave a $40,000-plus check and Big Steve said a few words.
“Steve Landers Auto Group is proud to be part of this each year and excited for all the athletes and hard work they put in,” Steve told the crowd. “They really do a great job and [I’m] excited for all the support they’ve got.
“I want to thank the police. The police department, sometimes they don’t get much love and I know I can’t imagine the world being without policemen or firemen or whatever. It would be terrible. These guys put their lives on the line every day and we thank you guys for helping Special Olympics and all the support you do. I wish I could run with you, but I’ll just drive my car behind you.”
Watch the press conference here.
Officers and athletes then carried the torch from the Capitol to at Harding University in Searcy where the Special Olympics Arkansas 2017 Summer Games Opening Ceremony was held at 7:30 p.m. that night.
The Summer Games are taking place from May 25-27 and athletes are competing in swimming, athletics, bocce, cheerleading, flag football, individual skills golf, powerlifting and softball.
At Steve Landers Chrysler Dodge Jeep, we love being able to sponsor this amazing event to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Arkansas. Good luck to the athletes!