by Michelle Mayer | Jun 16, 2026 | Athletes, Families, Fundraising, LETR, Mission Focused, Sports, State Tournaments
By Randy Kindred
A voice from inside the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) tent shouted, “Whose birthday is it?”
A few feet away, a Kane County police officer in the LETR’s dunk tank replied, “It’s our birthday!”
A Special Olympics Illinois athlete hit the bullseye, sending the officer into the water. She was still fully drenched after emerging from the tank, but that did not deter an athlete from wrapping his arms around her in a hearty embrace.
Both came away smiling.
It was a brief moment Saturday in the Olympic Town area of the 2026 Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games. Yet, it spoke volumes about the connection between the state’s law enforcement and Special Olympics Illinois communities.
The “birthday” was the 40th for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which has raised more than $70 million for Special Olympics Illinois.
“What we give does not even come close to equating what they give back,” LETR Director Bill Devine said of the Special Olympics Illinois athletes. “The friendships, the bonds, the hugs, the inspiration. And it goes beyond us as individuals. It goes to our families.”
Devine has seen it from all angles. His 20-year-old son, C.J., was born with Down syndrome and has participated in Special Olympics Illinois athletics, bowling, baseball, Unified cornhole … you name it.
“Pretty much the only month he has off is July,” Devine said.
Devine, a retired Tinley Park police officer, serves as a coach in the agency for which C.J. competes, South Suburban Special Rec. The family’s link to Special Olympics Illinois doesn’t end there.
“I have a daughter (Madison) who just graduated with her Masters (degree) as a speech language pathologist,” Devine said. “Her inspiration came from her association with Special Olympics, being around the athletes and watching them with their trials and the way they do things.”
The Law Enforcement Torch Run presented Special Olympics Illinois a check for $5.9 million during Friday’s Opening Ceremony. It was the total raised in 2025, a number unfathomable when Illinois’ LETR was born in 1986.
Devine has been involved since 2000, when he began “as a local leg runner” before progressing to a state committee member and, in 2020, to state director.
“It’s a lot more than money,” he said of the fundraising efforts. “When we started, everything was centrally located. We did everything out of the university. Because of our growth, we had to expand the footprint. That’s exciting for me to see the amount of people we’re able to provide services to.
“We have a lot of young people coming up who are doing phenomenal work. The awareness factor is growing exponentially. We’re seeing it in the (fundraising) numbers and that’s leading to the numbers.”
State committee member Robbi Peterson, an investigator with the Illinois Attorney General’s office, called the totals “staggering,” as well as the $1 billion that has been raised worldwide by Law Enforcement Torch Run organizations.
Peterson first got involved during his time with the West Chicago Police Department and said the connection with LETR and Special Olympics has “changed my life so much.”
“It’s just become part of my everyday life,” he said. “I stay in touch with athletes not only at events like the Summer Games, but throughout the week, sending messages back and forth. I’ve really seen the impact of the work we’ve been able to do. You see how much it impacts families.”
Peterson was part of the Torch Run for the World Winter Games last year in Italy, as well as this spring for the upcoming 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis.
His 17-year-old son, Jayden, is active in helping with LETR events. He shares the passion his father and other officers have for Special Olympics Illinois athletes and families.
“We all say we got in this job to help people,” Robbi Peterson said. “I couldn’t think of a better way of helping people than helping these people who are facing daily challenges of just being accepted. And there’s no reason they shouldn’t be accepted.
“It is about fundraising, but the biggest piece is the awareness and the inclusion and just getting the message out there that they’re no different than us. We all need opportunities. They need opportunities to be seen and we’re making sure they’re recognized and seen for who they are.”
That is the mission of Amy Williams, deputy chief in the Huntley Police Department. Williams has been involved with LETR for 22 years.
She seeks to advocate for the athletes, in part because of words she heard as a child.
“My dad always told me the world is so much bigger than me,” Williams said. “He said to go out and plant seeds and make a difference. As I started my career, what better opportunity than to be able to work with such an amazing organization and be inspired by amazing athletes with Special Olympics?
“The (fundraising) numbers continue to grow, but for me the importance over the money is ensuring that people see our athletes for more than their disabilities. It’s more about who they are and what they contribute to society.”
LETR conducts a variety of fundraising efforts in addition to the annual Torch Run. Some include corporate partnerships, among Cop on a Rooftop, in partnership with Dunkin’ as well as Plane Pulls supported by United Airlines.
Yet, a good portion of the LETR initiative is based in police departments and their communities.
That warms the heart of Diane Vanderkooy, a retired Illinois State Police officer who has been involved with LETR since 1990. She is a safety officer with the Chatham school district and serves as athletic director and a coach with the Chatham Chargers Special Olympics program.
She called the local fundraising “kind of a badge of honor.”
“We look at other programs and they have a lot of corporate input,” Vanderkooy said. “Ours is so grass roots. It’s boots on the ground and grinding and doing it. That fits my wheelhouse. That fits me, my character.
“The athletes and the families I’ve met on this journey is amazing. Once you embed yourself in there, there’s always somebody to talk to, to reach out to. It’s a partnership. It’s a family.”
Unified Cornhole a Hit
Unified cornhole made a successful Summer Games debut Friday inside Horton Fieldhouse. Among those delighted for the opportunity were 13-year-old Reed Castleman and his mother, Amanda Castleman.
The Virden residents were competing for Auburn Area Special Olympics.
“It was fun for Reed and I to be able to partner together,” Amanda said. “I’ve been watching him compete for six, seven years (in other sports), but I’ve never gotten to actually participate with him. It was really fantastic.”
The Castlemans gravitated to the sport because Reed is unable to sweat, meaning he “overheats easily,” said his father, Cory Castleman.
“Knowing it’s a new sport and realizing it’s going to be indoors, it’s a good opportunity for him to enjoy participating and not have to worry about the heat as much,” Cory said.
Reed also competes in Special Olympics Illinois basketball and bowling. The plan is to participate in Unified cornhole again next year.
“This was our first time ever playing,” Amanda said. “We don’t even have one at home.”
Unified cornhole featured 15-foot and 27-foot divisions. Among the 80 teams were six with participants from Morton College in Cicero.
Merrick Hill and two of his Morton College baseball teammates served as Unified partners. Hill teamed with Victor Alvarado in the 15-foot competition.
“They (Morton College officials) do a really good job of getting the word out and getting a lot of teams,” said Hill, who graduated from the community college in May. “Special Olympics is a great organization. It’s fun to be able to just do anything to help.”
by lauryn | Feb 13, 2026 | Athletes, Families, Mission Focused, Region D, Region F, Sports, State Tournaments
Athletes, families, and supporters filled Chestnut Mountain Resort on the second day of the 2026 Winter Games, where athletes moved between award ceremonies and the next round of competition. bringing excitement, and plenty of smiles, to one of Special Olympics Illinois’ most anticipated state tournaments of the year.
Among them was first-time athlete Kelial Crooks, who had just earned his first Winter Games medal. “I’m feeling pretty good,” Kelial said, holding tight to the slalom medal that marked a milestone moment in his young alpine skiing career.
Kelial, an athlete from Region F, previously competed at his local regionals, but stepping into the statewide event felt different. The mountain was busier, the cheers were louder, and the stakes were higher. And he noted how it felt to arrive at Winter Games.
“Exciting — and a little bit nervous,” he shared.
What stood out most to him wasn’t the run itself. It was the people. “Being surrounded by people and family and friends,” he said. “Happy.”
Kelial credits his coach for helping him get to this point. “I would like to thank my coach, Tom, who helped me a lot with skiing,” he said. That mix of teamwork and trust, seen across every corner of Winter Games, is part of what makes these days so meaningful.
From the Mountain to the Snowshoe Course
At Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, Region D athlete Diego Villarreal was also celebrating a strong performance after medaling in the 50‑meter snowshoe race.
“I feel awesome,” he said, describing what it meant to compete with his team from Marquette Park.
For Diego, being part of a team is at the heart of his Special Olympics Illinois experience. “Having fun with my friends,” he said. “That’s my favorite part.”
He also takes that role seriously. When asked whether he feels like a leader on his team, he didn’t hesitate. “Yes.” And his approach to leadership is simple: be the one who brings energy.
“I was high-fiving them,” he said with a grin. “Yeah, it gets them hyped up.”
He explained why those moments matter. “If they’re having [a] down time, I try to make them right.” Diego prepared for Winter Games with stretching, drills, and regular practice across several sports. But his message to future athletes was straightforward: “Have fun. If you’re scared, take some deep breaths.”
That steady presence is something his mother, Joanne Rodriguez, has watched grow over the years.
“He started competing when he was eight, and it’s been a whole life experience,” she said.
Before joining Special Olympics Illinois, Diego often struggled to find spaces where he felt included. “They never let him play,” she said. “He would come home sad.”
Finding Special Olympics Illinois changed everything.
“He just fits right in,” she said. “I love watching him compete. It’s amazing to see what he’s accomplished.”
Joanne has watched him step into leadership naturally. “He likes to pump up his teammates,” she said. “He gets nervous, but once he’s with them, the nerves go away. They just pump each other up.”
This year marks the family’s second Winter Games, and the memories already stand out, from last year’s joke about snowshoeing “not in snow” that was followed by an overnight snowfall, to this year’s breakthrough moment when Diego won his division.
“Seeing him so proud makes me happy,” Joanne said.
For her, the growth she sees in Diego extends well beyond the finish line. “Leadership has made him more talkative,” she said. “He’s able to do speeches. I’m shy about speeches, and to see him do something that’s so hard for me, I love him for that.”
When asked what she’d tell another parent considering Special Olympics Illinois, her answer was clear: “It’s a joy. You’ll see your child blossom.”
The 2026 Winter Games concluded in Galena with the moments that matter most at Special Olympics Illinois: athletes pushing toward new goals, teammates supporting one another, and families celebrating every achievement. View Winter Games photos and results.
by lauryn | Nov 4, 2025 | Athletes, Families, Mission Focused, Region A, Sports, State Tournaments, Uncategorized
By Randy Kindred
The importance of families was on full display last weekend during the State Flag Football Tournament at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.
The Byron Gladiators are a family-run, independent organization formed in 2020, with the Druien family in a lead role. When the Gladiators competed Saturday in their second straight state flag football tournament, Ron Druien was coaching, his wife, Jenifer, was on the sidelines flashing cards to signal in plays, and their twin sons, Tyler and Ethan, were playing.
Jenifer Druien also is the head coach for track and an assistant coach for swimming and bowling. Other parents head up those sports, as well as bocce and snowshoeing. “All the parents participate,” Jenifer said.
Tyler and Ethan Druien are 17 years old and seniors at Byron High School. Saturday, Tyler wore the number 95 in honor of Lightning McQueen from the movie Cars, and Ethan had number 22, the number his father wore as a player.
Their family bond is strong, a common thread among Gladiators players and parents.
“I think the biggest reward is the families getting together and the kids and the friendships that have blossomed,” Jenifer Druien said. “And also the parents … the friendships and the support system.”
Ron Druien said players and parents have become like extended family. He connected with a friend from his youth, Mike Keller, through the Gladiators. They coach the football team together, with Keller’s son, Ryan, among the players.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Ron Druien said. “One of the things I like is we come down here as our small organization and I believe these young men here (the Vaughn Yellow Eagles) are from Chicago, with an organization that is a lot bigger than ours.
“We lost by two scores (30-14). I think we did OK. I was proud of them. We didn’t win, but we were successful.”
Win or lose, the Gladiators see a lot of each other. Jenifer Druien said the families have parties and also bowl year-round as a group.
“We get together once a month (to bowl) when it’s not in season,” she said. “Otherwise, we do it once a week when it’s in season. It gives the parents time to hang out and the kids time to hang out. It’s great.”
Learn more about the Special Olympics Illinois Families Network.
Tight Pack of Wolves
The Independent Wolves receive valuable help from parents of their players. Based in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, the Wolves are an independent agency that evolved from the Special Olympics Illinois programs at Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South high schools.
Assistant coach Paal Joshi teaches at the Glenbrook Alternative School and is an assistant football coach at Glenbrook South. He coaches the Wolves alongside head coach Craig Ameel, who is in his 38th year of coaching Special Olympics Illinois athletes.
“It’s a family within a family,” Joshi said.
Ameel agreed, saying parental involvement is “huge” in the operation of the program.
“One of our guys, his parents couldn’t drive so he came with another parent, who said, ‘I’ll bring him down,’” Ameel said following a 29-20 win Saturday. “Our families … we’re very lucky that our families are able to and willing to help out.”
Titans Lend a Hand
Among the volunteers making the tournament run smoothly were members of the Illinois Wesleyan University women’s flag football team. The newly formed Titans will play their first season beginning in March.
On Saturday, Claire Anderson, Lily Greenfield, Deanna Cirebea and Natalyah Stallings were on Field 2, serving as clock and scoreboard operators and holding down markers.
They enjoyed the experience.
“It’s seeing how much the sport can create bonds,” Anderson said. “I also think it’s really cool that we’re hearing them talk on the field about what plays they’re running. We’re watching it happen and we’re like, ‘We do those plays.’ We’re like, ‘This is awesome.’ We get to see how really similar it is.”
Also helping as on-field volunteers were members of the Illinois Central College baseball team.
View photos and results from the 2025 State Flag Football Tournament.
by Michelle Mayer | Jun 16, 2025 | Athletes, Families, Healthy Athletes, LETR, Sports, State Tournaments, Statewide, Volunteers
Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of competition and celebration at the 2025 Summer Games! Athletes, families, coaches, and fans will gather in Bloomington-Normal for three inspiring days packed with more than just sports. From health and wellness offerings to family-friendly fun, here’s your guide to everything you won’t want to miss.
Momentum Refresh
Come check out the Momentum Refresh vehicle located in the parking lot at the south end of the ISU track. We are proud to offer this universally designed, ADA-compliant mobile restroom and changing area, bringing a new level of accessibility and inclusivity for all participants, families, and fans.
Healthy Athletes
Athletes may take part in free screenings in Special Smiles, Healthy Hearing, Opening Eyes, and FunFitness on Friday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at CEFCU (Redbird) Arena. Plus, don’t forget to visit the Healthy Habits Station for water refills and healthy living tips, located at the top of the Redbird Ramp.
Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg
Members of Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run will conclude the Final Leg of their week-long, intrastate relay, carrying the Flame of Hope to its final destination of Opening Ceremony on Friday. Officers will run from The Shoppes at College Hills to Hancock Stadium starting at 7:30 PM.
Opening Ceremony
This momentous evening will feature the Parade of Athletes, Athlete Oath, special guest speakers, live entertainment, and the famous lighting of the cauldron. The event kicks off at Hancock Stadium at 8:00 PM on Friday. Can’t make it in person? Watch the inspiring ceremony as we live stream the event.
Young Athletes Statewide Culminating Event
Witness the joy of our Young Athletes program as kids ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities participate in a series of obstacles on Friday at 2:00 PM at Hancock Stadium. Pre-event registration is required.
Olympic Town
Open at ISU’s Turner Hall Parking Lot on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Olympic Town will offer a variety of family-friendly activities, including carnival games, an LETR dunk tank, live entertainment, a dance party, and more. We encourage everyone to come and take part in this free and fun event.
Families
Special Olympics Illinois celebrates families at Summer Games with activities like Family Registration at Horton Field House, Olympic Town, Grossinger Arena and Normal Community High School. Stop by for event flyers, Fan Zone fun, and a free raffle! Families can also attend the free Family Tailgate Picnic on Friday night from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Pre registration is required.
Victory Dance
Dance the night away on Saturday from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in Uptown Normal. Athletes can enjoy the chance to celebrate the weekend’s accomplishments, socialize with old and new friends, and just let loose!
View the Summer Games event website for more. Want to get live event updates? Text “summer” to 844-393-0980.
by lauryn | Mar 12, 2025 | Athletes, Families, Mission Focused, Region K, Sports, State Tournaments, Uncategorized
By Randy Kindred
Eric Baumann lives in the small southern Illinois town of Vienna, which he described this way: “It is 1,400 people or less. It has one stoplight, and the stoplight isn’t really a stoplight. It’s a blinking light.”
That said, Eric and his mother, Kathy Baumann, eagerly shine a light on Special Olympics throughout Illinois. They attend Special Olympics Illinois tournaments and events to provide information to families, answer questions and promote family engagement.
Saturday, they were behind the Families table at Normal Community High School as part of the Special Olympics Illinois State Basketball Tournament.
Eric Baumann, 41, has competed with Special Olympics Illinois since fourth grade. His mother was introduced to the organization at that time and soon grew to love it. She and her son have covered a lot of miles to share its benefits with families new to Special Olympics Illinois.
“Have wheels, will travel,” said Kathy Baumann, who also lives in Vienna. “Special Olympics Illinois Families have some new things on the horizon that they’re trying to do. Some of the outreach is that when new people come in, they have a partner and an established family member who can mentor them through the process. It is a learning process.”
She is quick to tell newcomers how Special Olympics Illinois “have made a tremendous difference in my life and in the life of my child.”
Eric Baumann still competes in “six or seven sports,” his mother said. He lives independently in Vienna and has a job in Carbondale, which is about a 45-minute drive. Eric drives himself to a federal building there and performs custodial work.
In Special Olympics Illinois, he is part of the Athlete Leadership team.
“Physically, he still competes, and that’s a wonderful thing,” Kathy Baumann said. “Leadership wise, he’s been given opportunities to speak, serve on the board of directors, serve on different committees. It’s opened doors for him to be a part of something much bigger than just competition.”
Through the Families network, the Baumanns encourage family members of Special Olympics Illinois athletes to get involved as volunteers, coaches and/or Unified partners. They discuss how important their engagement can be in enhancing the experience of the athletes.
It all means a great deal to Eric Baumann.
“I feel like helping others is my reward and just seeing them succeed is the best part,” he said. “And seeing the athletes grow. It brings joy and camaraderie. You see it all.”
Eric Baumann competes for the Big Muddy Crew, an agency headed by his mother.
“There are about 20 of us. We’re small but mighty,” Kathy said. “He (Eric) has been to Ireland, so I’ve traveled to Ireland. We’ve been to Nebraska, to Louisiana, to Florida, for the Illinois team and delegation and for my team. There are many, many doors if you choose to go through them.
“I think most families will tell you it’s the impact it (Special Olympics Illinois) has made on their child’s life. As a parent of a child with a disability, sometimes you try to even the playing field for them. Here, it’s an equal playing field.”
And, she said, the families network is eager to help.
“Somebody new coming in can reach out to me in southern Illinois and say, ‘Hey, I’d like to know about Special Olympics. What does it entail?’” she said. “I could go to the first practice with them and say here’s what you can expect. It’s really just helping them through that initial, ‘What have I walked into?’ ”
Learn more about the Special Olympics Illinois Families network.
Exciting Debut
The Belvidere BucThunder made its state tournament debut Saturday. The senior division team includes special needs athletes from Belvidere’s two high schools: Belvidere High and Belvidere North.
The BucThunder’s opening game came down to the final second. Belvidere took a 40-38 lead on a basket with 15 seconds left, then saw a shot by the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) Wildcats bounce off the rim as the buzzer sounded.
“It was very stressful. But they held on and they did amazing,” said BucThunder coach Cori Wesselhoff. “They just show so much excitement and they’re so proud of themselves. They’ve worked very hard to get here.”
Afterward, the teams and the game officials posed for a group photo. Everyone smiled.
True “Winning”
The Weston Bridges Warriors out of Aurora hung on for a 35-32 semifinal win over the Winchester Area Special Olympics AlleyKatz. There was a sigh of relief for the Warriors’ Cameron Fawver, first-year head coach of the senior division team after two as an assistant.
Yet, for Fawver, “winning” is not tied to the final score of a game. It came earlier this season when the parent of a player shared what being on his team has meant.
“They said, ‘My child has had such a hard time making friends and building a community. This basketball team brings that community to their doorstop,’” Fawver said.
“Maybe they’re a little shy or something. This allows them to break out of that comfort zone and meet a whole bunch of people who are in the same boat as them and just want to have a good time.”
Fawver also has benefited.
“No matter what my day is like before I get here, everything stops at those gym doors and all I can focus on is: Is everyone having fun and are we trying our hardest?” he said. “I can stop worrying about my problems for a little bit and just focus on basketball, which I love to do.”
Click to view results and photos from the 2025 State Basketball Tournament.
