Three youngsters selected, sponsored for Guardians Baseball Camp in Elyria

J.C. Insurance Agency in Elyria will sponsor three children in the Elyria Youth Sports Club to attend the Cleveland Guardians 2-Day Baseball Camp in July.

As a frequent supporter of the organization, Lisa Bliss, agent for J.C. Insurance Agency, is helping to provide three players the opportunity to train with current and/or former Cleveland Guardians players in a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience, according to Aric Bowens, CEO of Elyria Youth Sports Club.

“I’m always willing to help,” Bliss said. “I don’t want anybody to ever not get to play because they need shoes, need a glove or cannot afford camp.

“It’s wonderful memories.”

In terms of donating, Bowens said Bliss has sponsored a team for three years, as well as provided numerous players with various pieces of equipment they were in need of.

Bliss has mitts and cleats, and consistently keeps in contact to see if there are other ways she can help, he said.

She reached out after seeing a Facebook post advertising the camp to inquire about sponsoring three players, Bowens said.

“I feel very appreciated — I’m proud of it,” said Latoya Washington, whose 9-year-old son Dontay Stewart will be sponsored. “It will be awesome and it will help him in the long run if he continues to play baseball.”

Washington said the camp also should help her son, who has earned the nickname “Sniper,” in regard to pitching as he has a strong arm.

According to Bowens, all participants are guaranteed 12 hours of training time with players, lunch courtesy of Aramark, a T-shirt, two tickets to a Guardians game and entry into the Guardians Camp Skills Competition.

“I know that they’re actually going to gain the opportunity to be around some professional players, which is just astonishing,” he said.

For Elyria Youth Sports Club, community involvement and support is a main contribution to the sustainability of the program and the future of all players, Bowens said.

Businesses and individuals, such as Bliss and J.C. Insurance Agency, being so willing to sponsor and take extra steps, “directly affects” the organization, he said.

“She (Bliss) asks all the time if there’s anything that the kids may need,” Bowens said. “She’s been a blessing to so many of the kids.

“It’s exciting just to have the community to give back and to have people genuinely watching what we’re doing.”

J.C. Insurance Agency, 30 West Ave., can be reached at 440-322-7900.

For more information on the Elyria Youth Sports Club, visit www.elyriayouthsportsclub.com or email elyriayouthsportsclub@gmail.com.