News
Check out our Gallery Page to see all the great photos from our RIBBON CUTTING!!
CHECK OUT THE EVENTS CALENDAR……….WE ARE BUSY AND NEED YOU!!
Join Just 1 Book at the Orlando City vs LA Blues Soccer Match, April 19 at 7 pm
Just 1 Book will be collecting books for the second year at an Orlando City game. Please bring your books and enjoy some top flight soccer from Orlando. Go City!!
Just 1 Book Invited to Participate in Orange County Time Capsule
Sarah received an invitation from Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the Orange County Library System to participate in an event celebrating Florida’s 500th Anniversary. The FL Dept of State has provided library systems with a time capsule to be filled with donated items as part of the celebration. Sarah has been invited to bring an item for the time capsule, which will be opened in 50 years. We all know she is going to put a book in……the question is, which one? Which book do you think she will choose?
When: April 11, 2013 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Where: Orange County Adminstration Center, Front Lawn,
201 S. Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
Book Mobile Ribbon Cutting!!
(click on photo for details)
Just 1 Book Founder Named An “Everyday Hero” by CF News 13
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=873V-1SFak0
Just 1 Book Donates Books to Homeless Children
Tom DeJulio (in blue suit), president of Kiwanis International, reads a book as part of a book giveaway to homeless Seminole County children in Altamonte Springs on Feb. 16, 2013. Sitting with DeJulio (from left to right) are DeQunnte Samuels, 7; Sylas Hazlewood, 3, sitting on the lap of his sister, 6-year-old Angela Hazlewood; and Sarah Dewitz, 13, of Orlando, who founded the Just 1 Book charity to give books to needy children. (Ludmilla Lelis/Orlando Sentinel) (February 16, 2013)
By Ludmilla Lelis, Orlando Sentinel
4:09 p.m. EST, February 16, 2013
Homeless children from Seminole County received free books through a giveaway on Saturday, sponsored by the Florida Kiwanis and organized through a local program called “Just 1 Book.” The statewide Kiwanis had adopted the book campaign as one of its programs and donated 5,000 books for local children, said Allen Whetsell, governor of the Florida Kiwanis. Children picked out the books at the Hilton Altamonte Springs, where the group is holding its midyear conference. Dion Lee Hazlewood, whose family is temporarily living at a Casselberry motel, said the book giveaway meant so much to him and his children. “When we got evicted, we lost the books we had, but I was able to find so many of the books that I grew up with, Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein,” Hazlewood said. “I don’t know how I could pay for any of these books.” Just 1 Book was founded by 13-year-old Sarah Dewitz of Orlando, who organized her first book drive for needy children three years ago. Since then, Just 1 Book has received and distributed more than 100,000 books, said Dewitz, a student of Arbor Ridge School in Orlando.
3 Kings Day, with Florida Governor Rick Scott and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs
Listen to Just 1 Book Sponsor, Matt Englett, Managing Partner of KEL Attorneys on the radio
Matt can be heard every week on The Buckethead show, Wednesdays at 1:00 on 104.1 FM WTKS and his own show Under Oath every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 pm on 540 am WFLA both in Central Florida. Matt routinely appears on nationally and locally produced TV and radio programs to do legal analysis. His appearances include CNBC The Kudlow Report, Fox Business News, National Fox News, local NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox affiliates in both Orlando and Tampa markets. Matt is a regular contributor on CNBC’s The Kudlow Report and Fox13 Good Day Tampa Bay. KEL’s sponsorship of our Book Mobile enables us to provide books to at risk in their own neighborhoods. Thanks KEL and Matt!
Just 1 Book receives generous donation of books from Scholastic
Scholastic Books, the wonderful company that conducts book fairs for our schools, generously donated thousands of NEW books to Just 1 Book. These books were immediately placed on our book mobile for distribution to the children we serve. Thanks so much to Scholastic and Mr. Scott Capriglione, VP of Operations for taking the time to learn about Sarah and Just 1 Book at the UCF Book Fair. Mr. Caprigilione committed to helping J1B and he and Scholastic certainly did…in a BIG way!!
Give Back Central Florida Announces Empowering Our Youth Campaign to Benefit Just 1 Book
Give Back Central Florida, a major sponsor and advisor for Just 1 Book has announced their latest campaign. Please click on the below to see how you can get involved!!
Empowering Our Youth Campaign Summary
Just 1 Book Founder Receives Special Recognition from the Women’s Executive Council!
Thank you to the Women’s Executive Council for presenting Sarah with their first ever Rising Star Award. She is honored to be recognized by this great organization that empowers and recognizes women. Below she is pictured with Woman of the Year, Mayor Teresa Jacobs
New Logo and Graphics!!
Just 1 Book founder Sarah worked with our sponsors to develop a new brand image and different graphics that highlight reading and a child’s imagination as the theme. This theme can be seen on all of our newly printed literature, our business cards and even our Book Mobile!! We are really excited about this and hope that you like it!
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Just 1 Book Hits The Road
By Megan Stokes
May 2, 2012 5:07 p.m. Archive
http://www.eosun.com/news/2012/may/02/just-1-book-hits-road/
Sarah Dewitz stood far from the bookmobile’s swinging door, afraid to enter. It wasn’t the fact that the bus had been abandoned in Orange County’s lot off of Michigan Street and Bumby Avenue for the past four years, or the pair of pants she found in it days earlier that weren’t there the first time she toured it, but rather the huge spider that made the entrance to the bus its home.
The bookmobile was funded four years ago by the county but lost its funding that same year, so it’s been abandoned, sitting on flat tires, an inch of dust collected on each of the book shelves and the reading posters on its walls starting to curl.
But to 12-year-old Sarah, it’s like finding gold.
Since she and her family started Just 1 Book two years ago in April, they’ve collected and donated more than 75,000 books for kids who might otherwise not be able to afford them, set up mini libraries in community and Head Start centers in areas where reading material is more scarce, and created state and nationwide partnerships to expand Just 1 Book’s reach. But a bookmobile was always Sarah’s dream.
“I wrote down a list of things I’d like to see with Just 1 Book when it started. On that was an ice cream truck but for books,” said the East Orlando girl.
The bus will help the organization collect and distribute more books at events — Sarah’s mom Sharlene Dewitz has car filled to the ceiling with boxes of books — and will allow them to more easily reach kids groups, such as summer camps and Head Start programs. They estimate a couple thousand books can be stored in the bus at a time.
The Dewitz family found out that the county had the bus in its lot last year, and immediately started working on a way to claim it. At the April 24 Orange County Commission meeting, the motion to sell the bus to the family for $1,800 was all but approved until Mayor Teresa Jacobs decided it should be donated instead.
“I can’t think of anyone in this county who could do better with a bookmobile than Sarah Dewitz. This is the most remarkable young woman. In two years she has gotten people to donate 75,000 books… 75,000 books,” she said, astounded. “If we could clone her, we could change the world and even if we don’t, she could change the world herself.”
Sarah never saw that coming. In fact, in the beginning, she was sure it would have been at least 10 years before her bookmobile dream would come to fruition.
“I thought it would take longer for it [Just 1 Book] to catch on and for people to realize that kids want and need books. People say, ‘Oh, kids don’t like to read anymore’. They do,” she said.
Sarah’s dad Bill Dewitz said he had a mechanic look the bus over before they moved ahead with trying to purchase it. The bus is in fairly good condition with only 7,500 miles and a need for a new battery, new tires and new brakes. Nonprofit organization Give Back Central Florida has committed to financially helping to fix up the bookmobile.
“The poor thing has been sitting here,” Sharlene said, looking pitifully at the bus.
Although Sarah is the face of Just 1 Book, it’s truly a family effort. One member of the family who’s usually behind the scenes is Sarah’s 15-year-old brother Danny. When first asked what he does for the organization, he modestly lists grunt work such as lifting boxes or setting up tents at events, but he’s made a huge impact on the growth of Just 1 Book.
He attends Boone High School as a magnet student. When he heard the Student Government Association was looking for a service project, he pitched Just 1 Book. They collected 3,500 books in March and plan to continue serving Just 1 Book in the future.
Danny’s constantly thinking about ways to help the organization. While touring the Florida governor’s mansion with his high school class, he gave the curator there Sarah’s business card.
“Everyone needs books. Everyone needs an education,” he said. “I’ll be in it as much as I can, doing anything I can do to help. All Sarah has to do is ask, she knows that.”
In August, the Florida Kiwanis Governor is scheduled to announce Just 1 Book as the statewide service project, which means all 261 clubs in the state will be collecting books and dispersing them to kids in need. A Just 1 Book has also launched in Sharlene’s hometown of Carteret, N.J. So far, 6,000 books have been collected there.
“We’re hoping to get more communities nationwide,’ Sharlene said.
During the Orange County meeting, Jennifer Thompson told Sarah, “The world is your oyster. This is just your first bookmobile and your first 75,000 books.”
Volunteer Vixens – are running a book drive through January for Just 1 Book!
Jan 11, 2012 – Just 1 Book distributes 1200 books at the “Three Kings Day” event at Meadowwoods.
Dec 18, 2011 – Just 1 Book distributes 1200 books to kids in the East Winter Garden area as pasrt of the East Winter Garden Celebration.
Nov 18, 2011 – Just 1 Book Founder, Sarah Elaine Dewitz is honored as the David R. Roberts Youth in Philanthropy Award winner, sponsored by the Edyth Bush Foundation. This award was presented on National Philanthropy Day.
Sep 24, 2011 – Art Walk at Avalon Park – a great time had by all! Congratulations to Wetherbee Elementary for being selected as “Best in Show” by our celebrity judges, Jana “Banana” Shelfer from 104.1 RealRadio’s The Philips Phile, Orange County Commissioner Jennifer Thompson and District 2 School Board Member Daryl Flynn. A HUGE Thank YOU to Avalon Park Group, Stephanie Hodson and all the vendors for their support!! See you next year!!
Sep 10, 2011 – Huge Garage Sale at United Stor-All, 12280 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL to benefit Just 1 Book! Great Success! Thanks to all those who donated their time, talents and treasures to a good cause!
August 14, 2011 – Just 1 Book distributes over 1800 books for the second year in a row at the Bithlo Backpack Give-away.
August 13, 2011 – Just 1 Book distributes over 1500 books to kids at District 4 Commissioner Jennifer Thompson’s Backpack Give-away.
July 19, 2011 – Just 1 Book is recognized by the IRS as a “Public Charity” under section 501 (c)(3) of the IRS Code. Thank you to Attorney David Cozad and KEL Attorney’s for their help with the filing. www.kelattorneys.com
July 16, 2011 – Sarah is named “Orange County Citizen of the Year” for District 4 at a ceremony attended by Mayor Jacobs, District 4 Commissioner Jennifer Thompson and many other dignitaries.
May 13, 2011 – Sarah is recognized by Mayor Teresa Jacobs during her “State of the County” speech for her work with Just 1 Book
April 24, 2011 – Sarah and Just 1 Book are featured again in the East Orlando Sun to celebrate “A Year of Books” on our one year anniversary.
http://www.eosun.com/news/2011/apr/28/a-year-of-books/
April 23, 2011 – Just 1 Book participates in an Easter Celebration at “Harvest of Hope” in East Orlando. It was very moving and rewarding. Thanks so much to our best partner, Miller’s Ale House, for donating over 500 meals and 350 Easter Baskets!!
April 19, 2011 – Sarah receives a “Good Citizenship Award” from OCSO Sherriff Jerry Demings!
April 16, 2011 – Just 1 Book, along with My Kids Plate and the 5 & Diner hold a “Rock n Roll Street Party” to benefit J1B. A Great Time was had by all!! Thanks to all our vendors who participated!
April 2-3 – Just 1 Book participates in “Spring Festival in the Park” at Lake Eola in Orlando. We spread the word and continued networking with our friends!
March 24, 2011 – Sarah meets with Orange County Head Start and agrees to provide books for 19 programs throughout Orange County!!
March 17, 2011 - Just 1 Book agrees to provide books to The Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida at 16 of their locations throught Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Brevard County!!
March 3, 2011 “Pizza Night to Benefit Just 1 Book” at The Flying Pizza Company!! The restaurant will donate a portion of all sales for that day (dine in and take out) to Just 1 Book to help promote childhood literacy. Please click on the following links to find out more information!!
February 4, 2011 – Sarah is recognized by After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care’s “Every Child Makes a Difference” for her work with Just 1 Book. She is treated to a red carpet awards banquet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. February 3, 2011 – Just 1 Book donates 500 books to a community in East Orlando.
January 29, 2011 – Sarah is a Guest of Honor at the Florida Technical College’s Graduation Ceremony. Thanks for all your support FTC!!
January 17, 2011 – Sarah and Just 1 Book appear on Orlando’s Local 6 News
Wishing.the whole J1B team success in your endeavors. We know there is another bookmobile in your future.
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