Article by Julia Lucio, submitted photos

Cornwall, Ontario – The Cornwall Seaway Lions held a cheque presentation this week announcing they are getting behind Cornwall’s own sharp-shooter, Mary Patrick, to help her achieve her dream of participating in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Mary is extremely disciplined and has been training intensely since the age of 12. She is a high-performance athlete in the sport of marksmanship. She has competed in a number of target shooting disciplines with major successes in each – air rifle, fullbore (large caliber), smallbore match and smallbore sporting rifle (both small caliber). She has competed as a member of the Canadian National Cadet Rifle Team in Bisley, England for fullbore, as well as an individual in the US Camp Perry Open Matches in air rifle.

But she is not only an accomplished athlete. Despite the many hours of training and all the other activities outside of school, and even though she has 7 siblings—yes, you read that right. 7 siblings.—which certainly take some of her time, she manages to keep herself on the honour roll. She truly makes Cornwall proud.

When looking at investing in youth, the Seaway Lions Club thought about sponsoring a soccer or baseball little league, but when a member suggested to get behind Mary, and after the club met with her and her dad, the decision was easy.

Fundraising is a necessary part of life when it comes to sports and competition. Equipment, traveling costs, enrollment fees, trainers, all of that costs a lot of money.

“We want Mary to be able to focus on her craft, not so much having to worry about where the money will come from,” said Marcel Ravary, vice-president and Ribfest co-chair. “What we give her will do just that. And of course, it will free her time a bit so she can work at simply being a teenager.”

John Lucio, Ribfest Chairperson continued: “The proceeds from Ribfest, which are always given back to the community, allow us to get behind people like Mary. The Lions Club has a history of donating to causes related to sight, but we do so much more! Our wonderful sponsors such as Ontarioeast.net, make it possible.”

“Mary Patrick has a goal in life and she is working hard to achieve that goal. Lions also like to support our youth and help them grow to their full potential,” said Lion Shirley Ravary, President of the club. “Mary Patrick has that energy and commitment to achieve whatever she sets her mind to, now and also in the future. The youth of today is the future adults of tomorrow and we want to support them. They are well worth investing in”

The money given this week will go towards buying equipment needed for practice and competition.

Also happened at the meeting…

The club donated $5,000.00 to St.John’s ambulance, a community organization dedicated to the teaching and practice of medical first aid and the provision of ambulance and community volunteer services. Look for the story in the Seeker in the next few weeks.