Wayne County Sheriff helps send athletes to Special Olympics

Staff Report
·2 min read
Wayne County Sheriff’s Office staff members Capt. Blaine Budd (left), Ed Griffie, Kristen Slicker, Lt. Michael Smucker, Sheriff Travis Hutchinson, Crystal Harper, Beth Farver, Jenny Marty and Rachel Fuqua get ready to enjoy sub sandwiches from Jersey Mike’s. Hutchinson treated his staff, and proceeds from the order went to help athletes attending the Special Olympics.

When Wayne County Sheriff Travis Hutchinson heard Jersey Mike's restaurants were donating 100 percent of sales during the company’s annual Day of Giving event to help athletes across the country attend the 2022 USA Special Olympics games in Orlando, Florida, he reached into his pockets and purchased lunch for his entire staff.

According to a Jersey Mike’s news release, the restaurant chain expects to donate about $10 million from the day's efforts, and Hutchinson knows every little bit from each of the company's 2,000 locations will help to make an Olympian's dream of competing in the Special Olympics come true in June.

Hutchinson, a Masonic Lodge member, is a long-time supporter of the Special Olympics, and his Jersey Mike's sandwich order is just the beginning of his fundraising efforts.

"The Wooster and Orrville lodges used to host a spaghetti dinner fundraiser and then host a supper for local athletes at Kean Elementary School," Hutchinson said, noting because of the COVID-19 pandemic, those activities were suspended, but he hopes to resume them soon.

Wayne sheriff part of Law Enforcement Torch Run

Not to be deterred from lending support to the games, Hutchinson will participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR).

"The goal is to raise $40,000," Hutchinson said in the release. "The Torch Run will begin June 20 and conclude at the Ohio Olympic games on June 24."

Known as the Guardians of the Flame, officers and Olympians carry the torch — the Flame of Hope — into the opening ceremonies of local Olympic competitions across the country.

According to letr.org, the organization is one of the most significant awareness and fundraising bodies for the Special Olympics.

Kristen Slicker, Sheriff Travis Hutchinson, and Crystal Harper made a run to Jersey Mike’s in Wooster on Wednesday, March 30th, to pick up sandwiches for the entire Sheriff’s Office staff.
Kristen Slicker, Sheriff Travis Hutchinson, and Crystal Harper made a run to Jersey Mike’s in Wooster on Wednesday, March 30th, to pick up sandwiches for the entire Sheriff’s Office staff.

In 2020 LETR:

  • Enlisted 58,905 torch runners

  • Served 9,815 Special Olympic athletes

  • Amassed 12,506 volunteers

  • Recruited 1,159 military runners

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Sheriff Jersey Mike's purchase helps Special Olympics athletes