By Glenn Rolfe

The Special Olympics Delaware torch has been passed.

Approved by its board of directors in mid-January, David Halley is SODE’s new executive director. He will succeed Ann Grunert, who is answering retirement’s call after 34 years with the organization.

“I’m excited to carry on the amazing work that Ann Grunert and Special Olympics are doing here in Delaware,” said Mr. Halley, a New Jersey native and graduate of the University of Delaware. “This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work for an organization that aligns so well with my passions and experiences.

“I’m blessed to be selected as the next leader of this organization to serve individuals and families in our communities. I look forward to working with the board, staff and volunteers to advance the mission and vision of Special Olympics Delaware for years to come.”

A longtime resident of the First State, Mr. Halley most recently was executive director of the Middletown Family YMCA. His background includes extensive experience engaging and leading teams, fundraising, community outreach and promoting excellence in sports and program operations.

“We are thrilled to welcome David to the Special Olympics Delaware community of athletes, coaches, families, friends, volunteers and sponsors,” said Katherine Dickinson, SODE’s board president. “David’s professional credentials, team-oriented leadership style and strategic mind-set will position Special Olympics Delaware for growth and continued excellence in the communities we serve for years to come.”

Mr. Halley assumes his post with an entity that provides year-round training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for 4,200 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. These programs give the athletes opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other athletes and the community.

In contrast, in the late 1980s, SODE served about 1,000 athletes.

Ms. Grunert’s tenure will end with this weekend’s Lewes Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics, one of its marquee events.

Rehoboth Beach is the location for the various festivities, capped Sunday with the participants’ dip into the ocean. Due to the pandemic, polar bears have two options: Be part of the human wave that heads out into the surf or take the plunge on your own, either cold or warm.

The plunge takes place at 1 p.m. along the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk. For information, visit here.

Regardless of the big event this weekend, Ms. Grunert’s tenure is being remembered.

Asked for her own reflections, she declined comment, saying she’d rather focus on the future of the group.

Jon Buzby, SODE’s director of unified champion schools, who worked with her for 32 years, points to growth during her term.

“Ann has been an inspiration to the people who have participated in, volunteered for and worked in any capacity for Special Olympics Delaware during her entire 34-year career. She leaves behind a legacy of growth in every area of the SODE program and will forever be credited with the successful creation and implementation of several of our most successful initiatives,” he said.

“But perhaps what she’d want to be remembered most for is how the number of athletes more than quadrupled during her tenure, and along with that, the number of supporters, who not only cheered them on but did so with a renewed respect and admiration.”

John Miller, a longtime board member and former state director of Delaware’s Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, said Ms. Grunert’s “impact on the SODE program has been beyond incredible.”

“In addition to her contributions toward the general program, Ann has been a member of our torch run executive committee since 1987 and has guided and greatly impacted the amazing success of Delaware’s torch run movement, which has raised more than $9 million,” he said. “It seems highly likely that whoever invented the term ‘servant leader’ clearly had Ann Grunert in mind.”

Added Ms. Dickinson, “On behalf of the entire board of directors, I thank Ann Grunert for her decades of service to Special Olympics Delaware and her steadfast dedication to our mission each and every day.”

Greg Epperson, vice president of sports and business operations for Special Olympics North America, previously worked with SODE.

“Ann is one of the most passionate and dedicated individuals that I have had the privilege of working for in my career with Special Olympics,” he said. “During my tenure with Special Olympics Delaware, her passion for the athletes and dedication to excellence resulted in the realization of a capital campaign, resulting in the office on the University of Delaware campus, revamping the support structure for athletes and coaches, and increasing the quality of experience for all involved.

“Her commitment, dedication and passion helped shape not only the future for Special Olympics Delaware and the thousands of athletes served but, personally also, who I am today.”