‘About confidence’: Special Olympics holds inaugural Torch Run in Williamsport
Long time Special Olympics coach, trainer and Global Messenger mentor, Lester Loaner, is presented with a quilt by Marion Lehman to honor Loaners over 40 years of volunteering at the Pennsylvania College of Technology campus in Williamsport. The torch run is done to show support Special Olympic athletes each year to also raise awareness and funds to help the athletes. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
A group of law enforcement officers pose for photos after the Hometown Torch Run Wednesday afternoon enters the Pennsylvania College of Technology campus in Williamsport. The torch run is done to show support Special Olympic athletes each year to also raise awareness and funds to help the athletes. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
A group of law enforcement officers begins the Hometown Torch Run Wednesday afternoon enters the Pennsylvania College of Technology campus in Williamsport. The torch run is done to show support Special Olympic athletes each year to also raise awareness and funds to help the athletes. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
A group of law enforcement officers begins the Hometown Torch Run Wednesday afternoon at Lycoming College in Williamsport. The torch run is done to show support Special Olympic athletes each year to also raise awareness and funds to help the athletes. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Long time Special Olympics coach, trainer and Global Messenger mentor, Lester Loaner, is presented with a quilt by Marion Lehman to honor Loaners over 40 years of volunteering at the Pennsylvania College of Technology campus in Williamsport. The torch run is done to show support Special Olympic athletes each year to also raise awareness and funds to help the athletes. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
A group of law enforcement officers pose for photos after the Hometown Torch Run Wednesday afternoon enters the Pennsylvania College of Technology campus in Williamsport. The torch run is done to show support Special Olympic athletes each year to also raise awareness and funds to help the athletes. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
A group of law enforcement officers begins the Hometown Torch Run Wednesday afternoon enters the Pennsylvania College of Technology campus in Williamsport. The torch run is done to show support Special Olympic athletes each year to also raise awareness and funds to help the athletes. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
A group of law enforcement officers begins the Hometown Torch Run Wednesday afternoon at Lycoming College in Williamsport. The torch run is done to show support Special Olympic athletes each year to also raise awareness and funds to help the athletes. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
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A rainy day wasn't enough to dampen the spirit of determination as athletes competing in the 2025 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games carried the games' Flame of Hope from the campus of Lycoming College to the Davie Jane Gilmour Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology, where a pep rally followed Wednesday night.
The event, dubbed the Williamsport Hometown Torch Run, is an annual tradition held by law enforcement agencies around the world to mark the upcoming competition, however Thursday's run was the first ever held in the city.
"We're so excited to have the hometown torch run here in Williamsport and to get the support of local law enforcement to celebrate our athletes who are going to Summer Games," said Special Olympic Regional Executive Director Melissa Rushefski.
"Since this is our first year, we're really optimistic and hopeful for this to become an annual tradition," she said of the run, which saw the participation of several law enforcement entities, including city, state police and Penn College police, as well as the FBI.
"We'd like to invite everyone to come out and celebrate the Special Olympics athletes. They've trained all year, and they're gonna do some really great things at the Summer Games," Rushefski said.
14 athletes from across Lycoming County will compete in the games, which will be held June 5 to the 7 at Penn State University.
Those athletes include, in Track and Field: Kevin Boyles, Paul Smith, Brendan Rooker, Sean Holloman, Anthony Fischetti, Byron Diemer, Richard Dibble and Sean Brink; Swimming: James Steinruck, Irina Prohidney, Kyle Powell, Nicholas Johnson, Andrew Dietrick and Jacob Carey.
The run has been going on in various places for over 35 years, and in that time has raised over $1 billion for Special Olympics around the world, Vice President for Strategic Partnerships Eric Cushing said at the rally.
Cold plunges are another form of fundraising used by the organization, bringing in $2.5 million this past winter alone for the state.
"That flame you see there burning is the Flame of Hope, lit before every single Special Olympics event, and the guardians of the flame are these men and women in uniform that you see right here. They bring the flame in, they protect the flame, and they ensure that the athletes have that Flame of Hope to lead them and inspire them," Cushing said.
"We were thrilled to partner with Special Olympics and our partner agencies to further engage with the community here in Central PA," said city police Assistant Chief Jason Bolt.
"We're excited to continue to support the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, and hope to work together in the future for such a meaningful cause," he told the crowd.
"Events such as this one, that we all work hard to make sure happen, they're a reminder that we can make a difference working together," Bolt said.
"I'm so proud of our athletes, our community and our coaches, and this incredible event is a beautiful representation of the celebration that we have and the love that we have for sports and fitness and wellness in our communities," Rushefski said to the crowd.
"Our athletes train really hard, they work really hard to show how awesome they are, and they are an inspiration for all of us, and we're so happy the Susquehanna Valley region will be represented there," she said.
Rushefski then presented the Special Olympics Northern America Lifetime Achievement Award to longtime coach Lester Loner.
"Over the past 40 years, Les has coached eight different sports and has coached at every level of Special Olympics, including USA games and World Games," Rushefski said.
"He coached at his 10th World Games in Italy this year, and has been a driving force in this program for other volunteers to earn their coaching certifications in order to better serve our athletes," she said.
"Les Loner's first priority is always our athletes. He goes above and beyond for them, not just on the playing field, but off of it as well," Rushefski said.
"He serves as a mentor to help athletes get involved and earn degrees in athlete leadership programming, he is a champion of Special Olympics Pennsylvania athlete performance training, which focuses on improving the health and fitness of our athletes," she said.
"His solid leadership and extraordinary knowledge are invaluable to both the Lycoming County team and Special Olympics Pennsylvania, Rushefski said, also taking a moment to recognize all coaches organization-wide.
Loner thanked all the volunteers and coaches he's worked with over the years, as well as his family for allowing the ability and time to work as extensively with the organization as he has.
"Most of all, I'd like to thank the athletes, because without them, as coaches or volunteers, we serve no role," he said.
Loner was then presented with a special quilt created for him by Special Olympics Pennsylvania Lycoming County Family Coordinator Marion Lehman.
"I'm proud to be a Special Olympics athlete," said Athletic Leader for Lycoming County Jacob Carey.
"To our law enforcement, you're not only running with the torch, you're carrying a light of hope, respect and inclusion for athletes like me across Pennsylvania. What you do matters more than you know," he told the crowd.
"The Special Olympics has changed my life," Carey said.
"It's not just about sports. It's about confidence, friendship and believing in myself. And because of people like you, I know I'm not doing it alone," Carey said.
"To my fellow athletes, keep pushing, keep training and keep being brave. We are not just competitors. We are champions in our sports and our communities and in our hearts," he concluded.