There are many exciting things going on around the state, thanks to the dedication and hard work of Torch Runners like you.  The following are some items of interest that we would like to share with you.  These emails are a great way to keep you and your fellow Torch Runners informed, so please forward it on and encourage others to sign up for the emails at www.specialolympicstexas.org.

Colleyville - SOTX's Biggest Fans 

When the City of Colleyville steps up to the plate for SOTX, they hit a home run.  On July 11, the City of Colleyville was presented with the Flame of Hope award at Steaks and Stetsons in Fort Worth.  The Colleyville Police Department hosts an annual barbecue cook-off event that has grown to be the second largest sanctioned barbecue cook-off in Texas.  2009 marked the ninth annual Old Time Cook-Off in Colleyville, an event that has raised more than $50,000 for SOTX athletes.

Detective Kevin Walling has seen the event through its inception. The first year of the cook-off, 40 cooking teams showed up and the event raised a modest $4,000.  Now, eight years later, the number of teams participating in the event has nearly doubled and profits have met $20,000 in the past two years!  His support does not stop with the cook-off;  he and his fellow officers run three cities each year as part of the Final Leg for Summer Games.  This year, Colleyville was recognized as first place for fundraising in the small agency category at Summer Games.

Chief Tommy Ingram of the Colleyville Police Department has been a key Torch Run volunteer for almost 25 years.  He has supported the Torch Run personally since the program was initiated in 1985.  He now has given his officers the opportunity to get involved.   Their support makes the Colleyville Cook-Off one of the most successful events in Texas.

In addition to the police department, Mayor of Colleyville, David Kelly, has led the city's effort to provide facilities for the Cook-Off and other fundraising events.  Mayor Kelly volunteers his time at the event, serving as a guest coordinator for the Kids Cook-Off.

On July 21, Detectives Kevin Walling and Bob Etheridge presented athlete Billy Ray Glass and SOTX with a check for $16,000 from the cook-off.  What outstanding friends of SOTX! 

Fall Classic

Mark your calendars for the 2009 Fall Classic October 22-24 in Bryan/College Station.  Athletes from across the state will compete in aquatics, bocce, golf, softball and triathlon.  Continue to check our web site for Fall Classic updates.

Take the Plunge

Start freezin' for a reason!  Dip into icy waters and raise money for SOTX.  Polar Plunge is a fun event where the brave raise pledges and jump into freezing cold water.  Dress up in your best costume and compete for a variety of prizes.  Stay tuned for more details on starting your own fundraising page.

Join us for a chilly dip on December 5 in Lubbock or on January 16, 2010 at the NRH2O Waterpark in North Richland Hills.  Continue to check our website for more details on these and other upcoming Polar Plunge events.

Nominations Wanted!

Do you know someone who belongs in the LETR Hall of Fame?  Don't miss your chance to nominate that outstanding individual who supports SOTX and its' athletes.  Nominees must meet the criteria outlined on the nomination form.  Click here for a nomination form.

Selected applicants will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during the 2010 State LETR Conference on January 15.

Tasty Tips

Patrons brought their appetites to the Tip A Cop event on June 29 at Texas Roadhouse restaurants across the state.  Officers worked hard to make sure this event was a success.  The Tip A Cop events raised more than $30,000 for SOTX.  Thank you to everyone who came out to support this event!

Feel the Fire

Flex your muscles for the Fire Truck Pull on October 10 at the San Antonio Fire Training Facility in San Antonio.  Start pumping iron and getting your teams together now!  Stay tuned for details on how your team can take on a fire truck this fall.

On the Run

Lace up your running shoes and join us for the 7th Annual Joey Cushman 5K on November 15. Runners of all levels - beginners through advanced - are invited to compete. Fun run begins at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K starts at 9:00 a.m. Awards will be given out to the top three overall male and female winners. This run was established to honor the memory of Corporal Joey Cushman of the Arlington Police Department. Corporal Cushman was shot and killed during a training exercise on June 7, 2001. Continue to check our website for registration information.

A Sizzling Summer

The 2009 Summer Games rocked UTA and the Arlington area, May 22 through 24. The Games kicked off with the lighting of the torch on the steps of the Capital on April 29 with Governor Rick Perry. From there, the flame made its way to Arlington. LETR officers from across the state met in Arlington to take part in the Torch Run Final Leg at Opening Ceremonies.

At the Summer Games press conference, LETR officers presented SOTX with a check for $850,000. Thank you to all of the officers who participated in fundraising and the Final Leg.

Catch up on everything about Summer Games by reading The Torch newsletter.  Click here to read all three editions.

Thank you to Presenting Sponsor: Wal-Mart.  Circle of Champions Sponsors: Knights of Columbus, Star-Telegram, Sysco Dallas and University of Texas at Arlington.  Torchbearer Sponsors: Atmos Energy, Cbeyond, Durham School Services, Essilor of America Inc., International Facility Management Association, KBR, Mattel, Southwest Dairy Farmers and WMSG Inc.  Gold Medal Sponsors: Bell Helicopter Textron, Boeing, Brandt, CVS/Pharmacy, Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control, Northrop Grumman, ReddyIce and United Parcel Service.

Run With the Heroes 5K

More than 490 runners ran for a reason at the Run with the Heroes 5K Run/Walk, in memory of fallen APD Officer Amy Donovan and benefiting SOTX, on June 7 at Southpark Meadows in Austin.  The event netted more than $15,000 and was a great success!  Even Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo laced up and hit the streets for the run.  Thank you runners for your participation and to the heroes who keep our community safe.  Presenting Sponsors for the event included: Texas MedClinic, Austin Police Department and Southpark Meadows. 

Run With Joe Jonas!

Run with Joe Jonas of the world-famous Jonas Brothers at the iWin Joe Jonas Fun Run on August 13 in downtown San Antonio.  Click here to register and start fundraising!

The run features a family friendly 5K and 1K option. The event begins at 8:15 a.m. at the Historic Sunset Station.  Entry fees are $20 per person or $35 for a family entry (child and parent.) Top fundraisers will win an award presented by Joe Jonas himself. And, SOTX athletes can enter a fundraising contest to win free tickets to the concert that evening.  Teen sensation Honor Society will perform live that morning.  Click here for more details. 

Take Flight and Support SOTX!

Enter for your chance to win two First or Business First Class tickets currently valued at $4,000 each! Buy one raffle ticket for $25 or get a deal with five raffle tickets for $100! Proceeds support programs for the 32,240 athletes of Special Olympics Texas.  Only 1,000 tickets will be sold from July 1 through August 31, 2009. Winner will be announced September 1, 2009.

To purchase your tickets online NOW, click here.  Prefer to enter by mail?  Click here to download an entry form you can print and mail in.

Change the World By Changing a Word

Join the movement that is changing the way society thinks by erasing the R-word.  Sometimes we don't realize that the words we use are hurtful and disrespectful, but calling someone with intellectual disabilities, or using the word in any manner, is just that - hurtful.  Take the pledge to erase the R-word by clicking here. 

To learn more about SOTX's campaign to erase the R-word, click here.  Also join the campaign on MySpace and Facebook.  Watch the public service announcements on YouTube and follow SOTX on Twitter.  Click here to purchase the R-word shirts.