Homecoming planned
Meet and greet set for Thursday, March 29, at Kingston legion branch
Islanders will get a chance to meet Paralympic hero Mark Arendz next week in New Haven.
A meet and greet will take place Thursday, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Kingston Branch 30 of the Royal Canadian Legion.
The 28-year-old Hartsville native won six medals in six races in biathlon and cross-country skiing at the Paralympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, earlier this month. The medal haul included a gold, a silver and three bronzes in individual competition and a silver in the mixed relay.
“Just like the entire country, quite honestly, we’re so proud,” said branch 30 vice-president Scott Ferris. “The winningest Canadian in a Winter Paralympics is right from Prince Edward Island. It’s fantastic.”
Arendz got his introduction to shooting as a member of the 107 New Haven Army Cadets, which is connected to branch 30.
He used his shooting interest, coupled with his skiing ability, to get involved with biathlon and has taken off.
Arendz’s parents reached out to the legion to see if it would be possible to host an event in the Paralympian’s return after competing this week at the Canadian biathlon championships in Charlo, N.B.
“We were thrilled his folks reached out,” Ferris said. “It’s a great way to kick off the Easter long weekend that’s for sure, to come out and shake this remarkable young fella’s hand.”
The legion’s capacity is between 200 and 250 people.
“It would be nice for as many people to come out as we possibly can (get),” Ferris said.
“If we have to do a bit of traffic control, that would be the (a good) problem (to have).”
Ferris said the branch had asked if there was a way to support Arendz to help with his training efforts.
“His first response was, ‘don’t help me, help The War Amps’,” Ferris explained.
There is no admission to Thursday’s event, but the branch will be making a $500 donation to War Amps and will be accepting donations from attendees to add to the donation.