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Three years ago, local Special Olympics volunteers came to the Pittsburg Police Department to request that local law enforcement officers become more involved with the Special Olympics Torch Run and the Polar Bear Plunge, an annual fundraising event.
One of those answering the call was Chris Moore.
“In high school I was a Special Olympics volunteer, but I just got away from it,” he said. “I was glad to get back with it.”
Now he’s been selected to attend the National Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference, to be held Nov. 11-15 in Connecticut. The event will include sessions on fundraising and how to get more people involved with Special Olympics.
“There are 10 going from Kansas, and I’m the only one from southeast Kansas,” Moore said. “It’s an honor to be chosen, and I’m super-excited to go. I’ve talked with other officers who’ve been to the national conference, and they say it’s the experience of a lifetime.”
Moore earned the honor, according to John Lair, New Hope Services program director and a volunteer Special Olympics coach,
“Chris works hard as a local officer for Special Olympics as a volunteer and spokesperson,” Lair said.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a year-round initiative designed to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics. Lighted torches are relayed by law enforcement officers from across the state to the Special Olympics Summer Games in Wichita.
“Pittsburg is the only city in Kansas that also has its own torch run,” Moore said. “Anyone who works for the city can participate. We start from the police station and run with the torch to Pittsburg State University for the Special Olympics Spring Games. Several other cities are now talking starting their own runs because we’ve had such good results.”
Moore, Lair and Susan Leigh, who is employed at the police station, are all members of the Polar Bear Plunge committee. Volunteers for this event dive into freezing cold water in the winter to raise funds for Special Olympics.
“It’s a big job to plan it, but when the day is over, it’s worth it,” Moore said.
He added that the actual plunge isn’t too bad.
“It’s cold, but it’s only for a few seconds, then you get out and get warmed up,” he said.
This year he’s going to go even further and become a “Super Plunger.”
“For that, you have to jump in freezing water every hour for 12 hours before the regular Polar Bear Plunge,” Moore said. “Only 12 to 15 in Kansas do it, and I want to be one of them.”
Originally from Olathe, Moore came to Pittsburg to attend Pittsburg State University, met his future wife, Trisha, and decided to stay here.
“My father was captain of the Lenexa Fire Department, and being a fire fighter or police officer was something I’ve always wanted to do,” Moore said. “I applied for this job, got it, and it stuck. I’ve been with the Pittsburg Police Department for five years now.”
His job is fulfilling, and so is his volunteer time with Special Olympics. He especially enjoys going to the Summer Games in Wichita and handing out medals to the athletes.
“The smiles on their faces make it all worth while,” Moore said. “I’ve never gotten so many hugs in my life.”
Three years ago, local Special Olympics volunteers came to the Pittsburg Police Department to request that local law enforcement officers become more involved with the Special Olympics Torch Run and the Polar Bear Plunge, an annual fundraising event.
One of those answering the call was Chris Moore.
“In high school I was a Special Olympics volunteer, but I just got away from it,” he said. “I was glad to get back with it.”
Now he’s been selected to attend the National Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference, to be held Nov. 11-15 in Connecticut. The event will include sessions on fundraising and how to get more people involved with Special Olympics.
“There are 10 going from Kansas, and I’m the only one from southeast Kansas,” Moore said. “It’s an honor to be chosen, and I’m super-excited to go. I’ve talked with other officers who’ve been to the national conference, and they say it’s the experience of a lifetime.”
Moore earned the honor, according to John Lair, New Hope Services program director and a volunteer Special Olympics coach,
“Chris works hard as a local officer for Special Olympics as a volunteer and spokesperson,” Lair said.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a year-round initiative designed to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics. Lighted torches are relayed by law enforcement officers from across the state to the Special Olympics Summer Games in Wichita.
“Pittsburg is the only city in Kansas that also has its own torch run,” Moore said. “Anyone who works for the city can participate. We start from the police station and run with the torch to Pittsburg State University for the Special Olympics Spring Games. Several other cities are now talking starting their own runs because we’ve had such good results.”
Moore, Lair and Susan Leigh, who is employed at the police station, are all members of the Polar Bear Plunge committee. Volunteers for this event dive into freezing cold water in the winter to raise funds for Special Olympics.
“It’s a big job to plan it, but when the day is over, it’s worth it,” Moore said.
He added that the actual plunge isn’t too bad.
“It’s cold, but it’s only for a few seconds, then you get out and get warmed up,” he said.
This year he’s going to go even further and become a “Super Plunger.”
“For that, you have to jump in freezing water every hour for 12 hours before the regular Polar Bear Plunge,” Moore said. “Only 12 to 15 in Kansas do it, and I want to be one of them.”
Originally from Olathe, Moore came to Pittsburg to attend Pittsburg State University, met his future wife, Trisha, and decided to stay here.
“My father was captain of the Lenexa Fire Department, and being a fire fighter or police officer was something I’ve always wanted to do,” Moore said. “I applied for this job, got it, and it stuck. I’ve been with the Pittsburg Police Department for five years now.”
His job is fulfilling, and so is his volunteer time with Special Olympics. He especially enjoys going to the Summer Games in Wichita and handing out medals to the athletes.
“The smiles on their faces make it all worth while,” Moore said. “I’ve never gotten so many hugs in my life.”
