PHOTOS BY JESSE DAVIS / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
A FIRE INSIDE … Participants in the Fulton County Jaguars and Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Ohio pose for a photo before hitting the street in Delta Wednesday afternoon.
CARRYING THE FLAME … Students from Pike-Delta-York Local School District line Taylor Street as the Flame of Hope is carried by torchbearer and Special Olympics athlete Esty Shaw.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
Taylor Street was lined with throngs of Delta students Wednesday, when the Fulton County Jaguars Special Olympics team, joined by local first responders, carried the “Flame of Hope” for the second annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Ohio.
According to Celia Wilson, Fulton County Special Olympics coordinator, more than 100 people participated in the run, which raised well over $5,000 for the organization through fundraising efforts prior to the run, raffles and food prepared by Delta’s Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2597.
“We’re very thankful for the weather, and the turnout just keeps growing and growing,” Wilson said.
“We were struggling with the scheduling of being in school, but as you can see, the kids are so excited to cheer them on and cheer on the flame of hope, so we’re excited to see everyone along the route.”
The run started at Delta Park, traveling the roads around Delta High School before ending back at the park, where attendees could get food, play games and enjoy music.
Wilson, who will celebrate 10 years of involvement with the FCSO in November, said the event has roughly doubled in size since it was first held last year. “It’s very exciting,” she said.
The torch run is orchestrated by Special Olympics Ohio, the website for which states the run is “a volunteer movement that was established by members of the law enforcement community,” and shares that the Flame of Hope “symbolizes courage, perseverance, and the inclusion movement taking place in Ohio and across the globe.”
Delta Police Chief Samuel Chappell was initially slated to help lead the run as he did in 2025, but was unable to attend due to a last-minute class he had to attend.
In his place was Delta Sgt. Joe Bandeen. He praised Chappell’s outreach efforts at the department.
“Chief Chappell does a great job with public relations and definitely has a lot of different ideas on how to reach out and get everybody involved,” Bandeen said.