by Jon Buzby - posted 4/16/2009
Randy Fisher named Torch-Runner of the Year
Volunteer efforts span three decades
Randy Fisher runs in the Global Torch Run's Final Leg prior to the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, held in Macau, China.
Randy Fisher (center) receives his award from Mark Anderson, 2009 Torch Run chairperson, and John Miller, state director.
Flash back to 1986 at the Special Olympics Delaware Summer Games, held in Dover at Delaware State College (now University). It was there that Sgt. Randy Fisher first draped a medal around a Special Olympics athlete's neck as part of a track and field awards ceremony.
Flash forward to 2009, and Fisher is still handing out medals to athletes at events. But over the 23 years since his first volunteer experience with the organization, he has also served on several Torch Run committees, jumped in the ocean as a Polar Bear, bowled on a Unified doubles team, and even traveled to the other side of the world -- all for the Special Olympics program he fell in love with as a young trooper with the Delaware State Police.
"It was an unforgettable experience being part of the games that early in my career," Fisher says. "Seeing the athletes' smiles on the awards podium was an amazing experience that just can't be described in words."
For all of his efforts during a volunteer commitment that has spanned over three decades, Fisher has been named the Delaware Law Enforcement for Special Olympics 2009 Torch-Runner of the Year.
"I am humbled to be selected for this honor, especially given the names of those individuals honored in the past," Fisher said shortly after learning he had been selected to receive the award.
One of the most exciting aspects of being named the Torch-Runner of the Year is that the recipient of the award has the honor of running the torch into the Opening Ceremony at the annual Summer Games.
"Being honored as the Torch-Runner of the year is the highest honor bestowed upon a Torch Run volunteer," said John Miller, who received the honor in 1988 and is currently the state director of Delaware Law Enforcement for Special Olympics. "While it's a great thrill to carry the Flame of Hope into the Opening Ceremony, the really special moment will be when Randy joins the athlete of the year for the lighting of the cauldron."
And while Fisher considers being part of the Special Olympics program here in Delaware as his favorite volunteer activity, he also talks with pride and emotion about the opportunity he had on the other side of the world as Delaware's lone representative in the Final Leg of the Global Torch Run at the 2007 Special Olympics World Winter Games, held in Macau, China.
"I always understood what Special Olympics meant to our athletes here at home," Fisher explained while telling his story at a Torch Run committee meeting shortly after returning home, "but it wasn't until I had the opportunity to participate in the Global Torch Run in China that I truly appreciated that Special Olympics is a world-wide movement. The impact it has on not just the athletes, but the volunteers, is unbelievable."
On June 12, Fisher will run into the Opening Ceremony carrying the Flame of Hope. Once he hands the torch off to the organization's athlete of the year, Glenn Jones, the ceremonial part of his honor will be over and he'll retreat out of the limelight, which has always been his nature.
But fortunately for thousands of Special Olympics athletes, the very next day Fisher will be back "at work," handing out medals to the over-1000 athletes attending the Summer Games.
Fisher's involvement in Special Olympics has impacted his life in ways he never imagined when he draped that first medal around an athlete's neck over 23 years ago.
Today, because of Fisher's commitment to make a difference, thousands of Special Olympics athletes' lives have been impacted as well.
Note: The 2009 Law Enforcement Torch Run will take place on June 10-12. For more information visit sode.org.