Iowa DOT and Special Olympics Iowa have a special bond
Don’t be surprised if you stop at Casey’s to grab a fountain drink and find Motor Vehicle Sergeant Rod Rhiner staring up at you from the cup. Rhiner, who has been associated with Special Olympics Iowa for 20 years; and one officer from the Iowa State Patrol, a county sheriff’s office, and a city law enforcement agency were photographed; and the picture was used to adorn 44-ounce fountain cups at Casey’s. Casey’s has agreed to donate 5 cents to the Special Olympics for each 44-ounce fountain drink sold between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
The history of the Iowa DOT’s association with Special Olympics Iowa
Twenty years ago, Motor Vehicle Investigator Mark Loney had just graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and was new on the job at the Iowa DOT’s Office of Motor Vehicle Enforcement. His supervisor asked him to attend an informational meeting on the Law Enforcement Torch Run® fundraising effort for Special Olympics Iowa.
Loney and another new DOT officer, Rod Rhiner, took the initial steps to partner with Special Olympics Iowa. While Loney’s duties have pulled him away from Special Olympics Iowa in the last few years, Rhiner has remained connected to the organization and actively promotes Special Olympics Iowa activities within the Iowa DOT.
Iowa DOT’s Office of Motor Vehicle Enforcement staff have supported Special Olympics Iowa by braving frigid waters for polar plunges, perching atop buildings for Cop on Top events, rappelling down buildings for Over the Edge promotions, pulling an airplane with a rope, assisting with the World’s Largest Truck Convoy, and proudly carrying the torch to kick off the beginning of each summer’s games.
To read more about the Iowa DOT’s involvement in the Law Enforcement Torch Run – see http://www.transportationmatters.iowadot.gov/2014/05/iowa-doters-carry-the-torch-to-kick-off-special-olympics-iowa.html.