CORNWALL, Ontario – Mary Patrick has her sights set on the 2020 Olympics, and bargain hunters are helping the 17-year-old get there.
The Cornwall sharp-shooter, along with her stepfather Scott Gardiner, hosted a yard sale on Saturday (Oct. 17) raising roughly $909.35 to support her journey of becoming a member of Canada’s 2017 national junior team.
The proceeds will help cover the costs of this year’s qualifying competitions, the next is only a few weeks away.
Hundreds of items were donated such as desks, air conditioner, microwave, table, chairs, clothes, videos, wheelchair, and dresser.
“I can’t express how thankful I am toward the community,” said Patrick.
“We were originally hoping for $500 – we’re amazed by the turnout and the donations,” added Gardiner.
The CCVS student is steady training for her upcoming competition at the end of October.
“I’ll be going to my coach’s house and going to Ottawa to train. Mostly what I can do is mental management, proper breathing techniques, and relaxing myself. It’s just repetition of all of that,” said Patrick.
This summer, the Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School student competed in Bisley, England and earned the highest Canadian score in the under-25 division at a National Rifle Association of the United Kingdom event.
As a member of the Royal Canadian Army Cadet National Rifle Team, Patrick scored a total of 686.87 during the 11 matches in which she competed.
She was presented the Gerry Ouellette Award, an award presented each year to the top under 25 member of a Canadian Team in Grand Aggregate by the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association. In addition to many other national accomplishments and champion titles.
“It’s (sharp-shooting) something I like. It takes the stress off of me, and a sport’s a sport,” she said.
Patrick is also a cadet warrant officer at 2403 Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps.
