Torch of Hope unites law enforcement with Special Olympics

The world’s largest cuckoo clock in Sugarcreek has been a major gathering site for visitors for several years, but on Thursday, June 27, it became more than a tourist destination.

On a sunny afternoon, the Law Enforcement Torch Run made its way to Sugarcreek to the clock, where a large crowd gathered to celebrate the passing of the Special Olympics Ohio torch.

The Ohio LETR event begins in Cleveland and zigzags across many counties as the Torch of Hope makes its way to Columbus from June 24-28. It includes peace officers, first responders and individuals with special needs. Upon arrival at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, the torch will make its way to the big cauldron, where it will serve as the grand opening of this year’s Special Olympics games.

The scene at each of the stops along the route is similar, with plenty of pomp and circumstance accompanying a celebration.

Nate Samples, Ohio LETR representative who is in charge of the torch making its way along its appointed path, is a police officer with the Doylestown Police Department.

Samples said each stop is filled with emotion and joy as officers and community unite to celebrate the torch and everything it represents.

“These stops really bring communities together with their law enforcement and first responders,” said Samples, who was sporting an official T-shirt of the Tuscarawas County Rockets.

The event also serves as a way to celebrate all of the funds raised by each of the participating peace officer departments. Together the departments throughout Ohio have raised nearly $100,000 for Special Olympics.

Samples said when departments team up with local SO programs, 80% of the funds raised go directly back to the local program.

“I think our area Special Olympics programs are going to be very pleased with the effort this year,” Samples said. “It’s neat to see these local law-enforcement agencies really back their Special Olympics programs. I feel so much love when I stop at these small rural communities where people show so much support.”

Samples has been a torch runner for the LETR for 17 years, but a couple years ago, he told Special Olympics Ohio he wanted to do more.

He was rewarded with the honor of planning and carrying out the Northeast Ohio leg of the LETR, and last year he became the assistant state director.

“It’s been amazing,” Samples said. “I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing. The Special Olympics athletes are awesome. They are so full of love, and I tell everyone if they want to experience a perfect world, go to the Special Olympics.”

He said the support from Ohio’s peace officers is just as inspiring, and the emotion of carrying the torch into the stadium during opening ceremonies is always very touching.

“There will be more than a few of us wearing sunglasses because it’s easy to get choked up and emotional watching everything transpire and experiencing the love and joy of that moment,” Samples said. “It hits you to the core, and I get goosebumps just talking about it.”

He said it also is touching to see the torch being officially passed from one local organization to another, as was the case when peace officers from Dover passed the torch to members in the New Philadelphia department.

As for individuals with special needs and their families, this moment is one for the scrapbook.

Jamie Randolph from Uhrichsville and her daughter Anna made the trek to Sugarcreek to celebrate. Jamie Randolph said this moment is one they eagerly anticipated.

“Special Olympics is so important,” she said. “Knowing this torch run gets around to communities and promotes Special Olympics and those with special needs and bringing awareness to how amazing and important Special Olympics is to families is incredible. And this also teaches Anna and many others that our members in uniform are good people who are here to serve. It’s a beautiful moment.”

The day prior to the Sugarcreek stop, the torch went through Akron, Barberton, Norton, Doylestown, Wadsworth, Orrville and Wooster. Thursday’s tour took it to Canton, Navarre, Strasburg, Dover, New Philadelphia and Sugarcreek.

The final leg on June 29 will see the torch begin at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy and cross the campus at the Ohio State University, where it will kick off the game’s opening ceremonies.