Rolling Meadows, IL – February 16, 2022 – Gallagher Bassett (GB), the global provider of risk and claims management services, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Special Olympics to support Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) for Special Olympics, raising funds to support participation, engagement, and recognition opportunities for Special Olympics athletes and volunteers.
Through this partnership, GB will support international, Regional, and local Programs for the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) for Special Olympics, which include the 2022 USA Games LETR Final Leg, the 2022 LETR International Conference in Round Rock, Texas and the 2023 LETR International Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
“Gallagher Bassett is proud to support the global movement of Special Olympics to promote inclusion, equality, and acceptance,” said Scott Hudson, Gallagher Bassett President, and CEO.
GB will also integrate its Gentle Bear program into Torch Run activities. Gentle Bear is GB’s symbol for caring, compassion and charity. Donations of Gentle Bear teddy bears began in 2007 as a partnership with the South Australia Police Department to help reduce post traumatic stress-related injuries in children. Since then, 18,000 children around the world have received GB’s Gentle Bear to provide comfort after a distressing experience.
“Care and compassion are values we take to heart. Whether we are helping others through client services, volunteering or donating Gentle Bears to children, we go beyond,” Hudson said. “We are honored to support the Torch Run — a mission that truly aligns with our own, as dedicated and compassionate Special Olympics volunteers also go beyond, empower communities and help others thrive in the face of adversity.”
“We are grateful to have Gallagher’s support and thrilled to amplify our Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) events with Gallagher Bassett,” said Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics International. “We are proud of our shared values which champion acceptance and inclusion and provide opportunities to demonstrate courage for athletes with intellectual disabilities in communities around the world. We look forward to having Gallagher Bassett walk with us to raise awareness around this exciting initiative.”
About Special Olympics
Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership. With more than six million athletes and Unified Sports partners in over 190 countries and territories and more than one million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and over 100,000 games and competitions every year. Engage with us on: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and our blog on Medium. Learn more at www.SpecialOlympics.org.
About the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics
The mission of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) is to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement, changing the future for people with intellectual disabilities and lighting the way for acceptance and inclusion. LETR began in 1981 in Wichita, Kansas, and has since grown into a worldwide institution that has raised over $900 million for Special Olympics programs. Known as Guardians of the Flame, LETR participants carry the “Flame of Hope” into Opening Ceremonies of local competitions. They also carry it into Special Olympics State, Provincial, National, Regional, and World Games and hold fundraising activities year-round, with over 110,000 participants worldwide.
About Gallagher Bassett
Gallagher Bassett is the premier global provider of risk and claims management services dedicated to exceptional customer service and demonstrably superior outcomes. The purpose of GB’s over 6000 claims professionals is to help people, teams, and companies face unexpected loss and uncertain futures, with confidence, by providing expertise, innovation and quality, wrapped in a unique culture that delivers the best results.
