For many attending the recent Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police conference, the numbers shared during the presentation from Special Olympics Manitoba were impressive.
Polar Plunge participation is growing. New communities are joining. Fundraising totals continue to climb.
But the most powerful moment of the presentation did not come from a spreadsheet.
It came from an athlete standing at the podium.
Craig Bray, a longtime Special Olympics Manitoba athlete and goaltender for Team Manitoba soccer, spoke candidly about the role sport has played in his life – the friendships it created, the confidence it built, and the opportunities it provided.
“Special Olympics truly changed my life for the better,” Bray told conference delegates. “Because of Special Olympics, I’ve been able to travel to places I never thought I would see, meet people I never would have met, and build friendships that have made my life better.”
As Bray addressed the room, he was joined on stage by Cst. Jerra Green of the Brandon Police Service, who has worked closely with Team Westman through local soccer matches involving Brandon police officers and Special Olympics athletes.
At one point during the presentation, Bray briefly took an extended pause.
Green did not interrupt or step in.
Instead, she simply stood beside him, offering quiet encouragement and reassurance as he gathered himself and continued.
It was a small moment, but one that reflected the kind of relationships the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics continues to build across Manitoba – relationships rooted not simply in fundraising, but in support, inclusion, and community.
It served as a powerful reminder of why Manitoba law enforcement agencies continue to rally behind the Law Enforcement Torch Run year after year.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) remains the largest grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics worldwide, with agencies across Manitoba continuing to play a leading role through Polar Plunges, fundraising campaigns, golf tournaments, and community events.
In 2025, seven Polar Plunge events across Manitoba attracted 42 teams, 268 participants, and raised approximately $132,000.
Just one year later, that momentum has expanded significantly. With two events still to come in Gimli and Steinbach, organizers say nine Polar Plunges have already brought together 62 teams and 367 participants, raising nearly $196,000 to date – with expectations the campaign will surpass the $200,000 mark.
“This support goes far beyond fundraising,” said Adell Gauthier, Senior Director Fund Development, Special Olympics Manitoba. “Law enforcement agencies across Manitoba continue to show our athletes that they matter, that inclusion matters, and that communities are stronger when everyone is included.”
The impact extends beyond the athletes themselves.
For many agencies, LETR has become a unifying tradition within Manitoba law enforcement – bringing members together across jurisdictions and organizations in support of a common cause.
Over the years, LETR events have become more than annual fundraisers. They have become visible demonstrations of partnership, inclusion, and community leadership.
And for athletes like Craig Bray, the impact is deeply personal.
Standing before police leaders from across Manitoba, Bray thanked the coaches, teammates, family members, and law enforcement supporters who helped make his journey possible.
Then, in a simple but powerful reflection, he reminded everyone in the room why these efforts matter.
“As everyone in this room knows,” he said, “sports can be one of the greatest support systems in the world.”
SIDEBAR — Athlete Remarks – Craig Bray
Thank you for all the support you continue to show athletes like me and the entire Special Olympics Manitoba community.
I’ve been involved with Special Olympics for 13 years, since 2013.
I played soccer for five years as a player, and for the past seven years I’ve been a goaltender. My journey in sports actually started when I joined youth soccer at the age of seven, and that’s where my love of sports – especially soccer – really began.
Being an athlete means constantly working to improve yourself. I’ve focused on training harder, becoming a better player, and learning how to improve both physically and mentally. I watch videos, listen to coaches, and stay committed to eating better, training harder, and being disciplined.
As everyone in this room knows, sports can be one of the greatest support systems in the world.
Because of Special Olympics, I’ve been able to travel to places I never thought I would see, meet people I never would have met, and build friendships that have made my life better.
Special Olympics truly changed my life for the better.
There are so many reasons why – the travel, the friendships, the confidence, and learning to step outside your comfort zone… just like I’m doing today speaking in front of all of you. I never would have imagined doing something like this before.
In 2013, I became part of Team Manitoba and was supposed to attend my first National Games, but unfortunately I became sick and couldn’t go.
Then in 2018, we competed at Nationals in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, where our team won silver.
Hopefully this year we can come back and win gold.
One of the highlights of my athletic career was having the opportunity to meet Olympic curler Jennifer Jones.
To close, I would like to thank all of my supporters:
- My late grandmother
- My parents and family
- My friends
- My teammates
- My soccer team
- Everyone who has encouraged and supported me along the way
Most importantly, I want to thank my coach. Without that support and encouragement, I would not have become the person and athlete I am today.
