New York Yankees strength and conditioning coach, Isaiah McDonald, is on the island on a double mission as he visits and assists family members devastated in Westmoreland by Hurricane Melissa while holding a baseball clinic in Kingston.

McDonald, who was born in Canada, has a  Jamaican grandfather who originated from Westmoreland and his roots are firmly entrenched in both Westmoreland and Kingston.

“My family is embedded throughout Jamaica. I have some family in Kingston and then I’ve got some more family in Westmoreland, and they were heavily impacted by the hurricane,” he told Our Today.

“The house is completely destroyed. My grandfather grew up in that house and then immigrated to Canada, and that’s where I was born. So, it’s kind of sad times in Jamaica, but here to help,” he noted.

Meanwhile, McDonald, who has been helping local baseball grow with his donation of equipment and funding, hosted a camp with over 30 kids, taking them through the rudiments of baseball at the Jessie Ripoll Primary School last Saturday (November 22).

“So, the camp this weekend is really just for the community is to give back to the kids, especially during these hard times, to help these young men just develop a love for sports,” said McDonald.

“I think it’s just a really good opportunity to bring people together, especially through hard times,” he pointed out.

“And just like Bob Marley said, it’s about spreading the positive energy and helping the youth, helping the next generation succeed, and I think that’s the sole purpose of this camp,” said McDonald.