Officer Wangnoss (left) with LAW president Ben Barth (center) and SOWI director of special events Brittany Neukirchen
Madison, Wis. (PRESS RELEASE) – The Labor Association of Wisconsin made generous contributions recently to help Special Olympics athletes see the playing field and Burlington Police Officer Bryan Wangnoss travel to Abu Dhabi next year for the Special Olympics World Games.
The Labor Association of Wisconsin represents approximately 1,000 members of law enforcement in Wisconsin, including those of the City of Burlington. They donated $500 to the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) for Special Olympics Wisconsin and $500 to Officer Wangnoss’ fundraising efforts as he prepares to travel to Abu Dhabi for the 2019 Special Olympics World Games. Earlier this year Officer Wangnoss was selected to represent Wisconsin and the United States as a member of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg® for Special Olympics.
“On behalf of Special Olympics Wisconsin and all the athletes across the Southeastern region, we are very grateful to the Labor Association of Wisconsin for their financial support of our athletes and mission,” said Brittany Neukirchen, Special Olympics Wisconsin’s Director of Special Events for the Southeastern region. “And the generous donation made to Officer Wangnoss’ fundraising efforts will go a long way toward helping him and the LETR spread the mission of Special Olympics and promote inclusion across the world.”
Officer Wangnoss (L) and Special Olympics Wisconsin Director of Special Events Brittany Neukirchen (R) receiving checks from L.A.W. President Ben Barth
Officer Wangnoss has been a champion of the Special Olympics mission for many years as a highly involved member of the LETR. He has assisted in coordinating and promoting countless Special Olympics Wisconsin events and fundraisers in Racine County like the Torch Run and Ride with the Flame Motorcycle Ride. He has also volunteered at local competitions by handing out awards to athletes and emceeing events.
Thanks to this dedication to Special Olympics athletes and the LETR, Officer Wangnoss was chosen from a highly competitive pool of candidates to participate in the Final Leg. Officer Wangnoss will join members of law enforcement and Special Olympics athletes from around the world to carry the Special Olympics Flame of Hope to every corner of the United Arab Emirates to heighten awareness of the Special Olympics mission.
“I have known Officer Wangnoss for the past 15 years and I am in awe of the passion and enthusiasm he has for Special Olympics Wisconsin,” said Ben Barth, President of the Labor Association of Wisconsin. “And we wanted to provide one or more athletes the ability to participate who would not be able to otherwise. We just want to do our part, big or small, to be a part of this wonderful organization.”
If you would like to contribute to Officer Wangnoss’ fundraising efforts to go to Abu Dhabi to participate in the Final Leg for the 2019 Special Olympics World Games, click here.
