McElvenny to speak on remarkable journey
This Saturday, motivational speaker Eric McElvenny, a 2001 Belle Vernon Area graduate, will be the keynote speaker at a charity event at the Monongahela Aquatorium that will benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) and Operation Rebound.
McElvenny, a standout baseball player in high school, served four tours of duty in Afghanistan as a Marine Corps Infantry Officer.
During his final tour, McElvenny stepped on an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) and suffered an amputation of his right leg below the knee.
While in the hospital, McElvenny set a goal to run an Ironman Competition consisting of a 2.4-mile swim followed by a 26.2-mile run and a 112-mile bike ride with no breaks.
McElvenny, aided by a prosthetic leg and with the support of the CAF, has completed four Ironman’s and eight half-Ironman’s.
The event is being hosted by Octane Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), in collaboration with the Monongahela Chamber of Commerce and a handful of Mon Valley businesses who have sponsored the Event
Octane Co-Owner Jason Weslager is proud to bring the event to the area.
“Eric is an American hero with a powerful story to tell,” Weslager said. “We’re honored to be able to bring him to Monongahela to share it with us all while raising money for such a great cause.”
Now residing in San Diego with his wife, Rachel, and their two daughters, McElvenny travels all over the country inspiring children and adults through his presentations, which includes discussions about goal-setting, perseverance, and never taking life for granted.
Other speakers include Monongahela Police Chief Brian Tempest, Octane MMA staff, and Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce President Jamie Protin.
Tempest, along with his K9 officer Beny and handler Officer Larry Maraldo, will speak about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
The Octane MMA staff will discuss the dangers of physical and emotional bullying and will provide a demonstration from some of their students on techniques to counteract bullying.
Protin will speak about youth leadership skills and will introduce Eric.
Cost of the event is $1 if pre-registration is used and $5 at the gate.
To pre-register for the event that will run from noon to 3 p.m., please visit www.octanemma.com/event.
In the event of inclement weather, the festivities will be moved into Octane MMA’s training gym located less than a block away from the Aquatorium at 110 Railroad St.