Major League Dreams

Christopher is a typical sports-loving 10-year old. He plays football and basketball, but he likes baseball best. He's the pitcher on a local traveling team.

One day he happened to catch a documentary about kids in the Dominican Republic who also like to play baseball.

"When I saw that show, I felt bad for those kids, because they didn't have equipment to play with," he said. "They were using sticks for bats and milk jugs for gloves."

The show made a real impression on Christopher. He prayed about the situation and decided he wanted to do something to help those children play the game they all love.

Christopher's grandfather Lynn Coots is a Certified Propane Specialist with Conserv FS, Inc. in Woodstock, Ill. Several months ago, he learned he had achieved his sales goals for the year, making him and his wife, Judie, eligible for the Annual Sales Program trip.

The destination? The Dominican Republic.

"Everything just fell into place," Lynn said. "When we found out I'd achieved the trip, we knew we needed to help Christopher help those children."

The Cootses packed a bag with baseballs, bats, gloves, and t-shirts. GROWMARK made arrangements with a local tour guide for them to visit a school. The children seemed well-nourished and clean, but Lynn said it was clear they had few possessions.

Every child received a small gift, and names were placed in a bowl and drawn for the larger items. Even though the Cootses spoke little Spanish and the children spoke little English, they understood each other very well.

"The students are learning English, and we were asked to tell them about Christopher and the reason we were there," Lynn said. "Every once in awhile I'd point at a child and say 'Sammy Sosa' or 'Albert Pujols' and they would smile so big."

The children's needs are ongoing, and Christopher asked his friends to donate used sports equipment. Other donations of new or gently used equipment, clothing, hats, and Spanish-English dictionaries are being collected. The first shipment will be sent on March 1.

Questions about the project can be directed to Lynn or Judie at 815-335-2991. A video of the donation can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/d4P870.