Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Honouring Special Olympics Ontario Torch Run Supporters
(Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON) South Simcoe Police Service Chief Andrew Fletcher presented some high honours and helped deliver a large cheque to Special Olympics Ontario.
The presentations Monday were made during the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) 2022 Annual Conference in Niagara-on-the Lake. Chief Fletcher is Chair of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Torch Run Committee. The cheque represented all of the fundraising conducted for the Law Enforcement Torch Run over the past year and tallied just over one-million dollars – $1,100,500 to be exact. Special Olympics athlete Connor MacPhee accompanied Chief Fletcher on stage along with Glenn MacDonell, President & CEO – Special Olympics Ontario, Karen Richards, York Regional Police, Provincial LETR Director and Derek Spence, LETR Ontario Manager.
Congratulations to the following award recipients:
The Distinguished Service Award: Sergeant Michael Puterbaugh, Toronto Police Service
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a deserving Law Enforcement Torch Run Volunteer who has made notable contributions to the Ontario, Canadian and International Torch Run Programs throughout his/her career. The DSA recipient will have demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to the development of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Mission. Sergeant Michael Puterbaugh has been a member of the Toronto Police Service since 1991 and has been involved with Special Olympics Ontario and Special Olympics athletes since he first started his policing career. Over the past fifteen years Mike has demonstrated a significant and dedicated commitment to the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run. He has attended numerous Special Olympic and Law Enforcement Torch Run events, provincially, nationally and internationally, where he proudly represents the Ontario LETR with distinction.
Mike is a founding member of the Toronto Police Torch Run Committee and, from the initial year the committee was formed in 2008, it has seen exponential growth upwards of 370% in funds raised due to the direct actions of Mike. In 2018, Michael was seconded to Special Olympics Ontario where he worked to develop and plan the 2019 Invitational Youth Games. • The Games were the first of its kind in the world and were part of the year-long 50th Anniversary worldwide celebration of Special Olympics. Because of Michael’s leadership and commitment, the games concluded successfully and under budget. Mike is currently a member of the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run Operations Committee.
Award of Honour: Sarah Dereski , Probation and Parole Officer for the Ministry of the Solicitor General
The Award of Honour is presented to Law Enforcement personnel and corporate sponsors who achieve a minimum of five years involvement with the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics as fundraisers and/or organizers who have made an exemplary commitment. While conducting her duties as a Probation and Parole Officer for the Ministry of the Solicitor General, Sarah Dereski became a dedicated member of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, promoting awareness and fundraising for Special Olympic athletes in her area. Since occupying this role, Sarah has made a huge splash within the organization and the communities within her zone while representing Ontario Corrections in a very admirable way. Sarah’s fundraising history is nothing short of remarkable over the years. Aside from raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in various LETR campaigns such as the Polar Plunge, Torch Runs or t-shirt sales, her commitment and success with the Guardians Run this past year was outstanding, resulting in over $90,000 being raised.
Sarah’s commitment to awareness and fundraising for the good of the charity and the athletes we serve is truly amazing. Sarah is always finding new and unique ways to engage and promote this great cause.
Award of Honour: Paula McKnight, Probation and Parole for the Ministry of the Solicitor General
Paula McKnight has been an active LETR member for over 11 years while working with Probation and Parole for the Ministry of the Solicitor General. She is well known amongst the LETR family for her enthusiasm and friendly spirit. Paula has been the Zone Coordinator in Zone 1A since 2020 and has been on the local polar plunge organizing committee for the past 10 years. Over the years, Paula has sold countless LETR t- shirts, shaker cups, hero bears and dogs. She also has been dedicated to registering for as many LETR events as she can and fundraising whenever possible. She is always willing to lend a hand or attend an LETR event, even if it means completing a several hour drive to get there! Paula is also a coach of her local Special Olympics Ontario swim team. Her dedication and passion to LETR and Special Olympics is exceptional, and she has made a significant contribution to these causes over the past 11 years of involvement.
Top L-R: Glenn MacDonell, President & CEO – Special Olympics Ontario, Chief Andrew Fletcher, Special Olympics athlete Connor MacPhee, Glenn MacDonell, President & CEO – Special Olympics Ontario, Karen Richards, York Regional Police, Provincial LETR Director, Derek Spence, LETR Ontario Manager
Bottom L-R: Sergeant Michael Puterbaugh, Toronto Police Service, Paula McKnight, Probation and Parole for the Ministry of the Solicitor General, Sarah Dereski , Probation and Parole Officer for the Ministry of the Solicitor General
