Law enforcement officers across Michigan are trading their badges for running shoes and community service during Flame of Hope Week, an annual celebration organized by the Michigan Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) to benefit Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI).
Taking place September 6–12, 2025, Flame of Hope Week brings together officers, athletes, and supporters statewide through a series of community runs, fundraising events, and outreach efforts — all to support more than 22,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities who compete in Special Olympics Michigan programs year-round.
“This week is about more than fundraising — it's about inclusion, respect, and showing our communities what it means to support one another,” said John Card, Director of Michigan’s LETR program. “When officers carry the Flame of Hope, we carry it for every athlete who dares to dream bigger.”
Throughout Run Week, LETR members will run a non-stop 750-mile relay that starts at the Copper Harbor lighthouse and ends downstate at the iconic Belle Isle. The relay will arrive at the Michigan state capitol building at midnight on Thursday, September 11. These committed runners have been raising money throughout the year to participate. The goal: raise $75,000 to fund year-round athletic, health, and leadership programming — all at no cost to the athletes or their families.
Highlighted events include:
- More than two dozen community runs across Michigan, symbolizing unity and inclusion.
- Dunk tanks, raffles, and community BBQs hosted by local police departments.
- Tip-A-Cop nights at partnering restaurants, where officers serve tables to raise donations.
- The 2025 LETR T-shirt campaign, with proceeds directly benefitting SOMI programs.
- Social media challenges and online donation opportunities.
“Our law enforcement partners are not only champions of safety — they’re champions of inclusion,” said Tim Hileman, President & CEO of Special Olympics Michigan. “Flame of Hope Week shines a light on their commitment to building communities where every person, regardless of ability, is seen, valued, and celebrated.”
In 2023, 2024, and again this year, Michigan LETR raised more than $2 million for Special Olympics Michigan, allowing more than 2,500 athletes to travel and compete in the organizations largest event of the year, a three-day event featuring nearly a dozen sports: State Summer Games. Additional funding has supported state and regional competition throughout Michigan.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics worldwide, and Michigan’s LETR ranks among the top ten programs internationally.
To learn more about Flame of Hope Week, donate, or get involved, and for a full schedule click here. High-resolution photos from previous events are available for use here.