Bordentown resident Jacob DeWitt and TCNJ baseball make $8,000 donation to Red Cross

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Jacob DeWitt and TCNJ Baseball Coach Dean Glus

EWING, NJ (01/22/2013)(readMedia)-- On the morning of November 1st, The College of New Jersey head baseball coach Dean Glus received an email from one of his ballplayers. Sophomore Jacob DeWitt drafted a lengthy correspondence that began like this.

"Coach,

Last night I couldn't sleep after seeing all the pictures from the beach towns affected by the hurricane, so I kept thinking about what I could do, what we could do, to help make a difference. I had the idea that we sell wristbands that say "We Are Jersey Strong" for $5."

It went on to say ...

"We want to show you, the administration, the community, and each other that we are capable adults and leaders in the community."

Just over two months after that morning, a donation of $8,000 that was raised through selling bracelets reading, "We Are Jersey Strong" was presented to the American Red Cross Jersey Coast Chapter. Glus drove the stack of checks over to the Jersey Shore chapter located in his hometown of Tinton Falls, NJ, fearing some of the (dated) checks would soon become void. The Red Cross Jersey Coast Chapter was excited (and pleasantly surprised) by the impromptu donation and graciously accepted. Glus also left a promise that he would return with more funding raised for Hurricane Sandy relief since DeWitt and the Lions' ballplayers will continue to sell bracelets.

"I just knew I wanted to do something and wanted to follow through it," noted DeWitt, a third baseman/pitcher for TCNJ and graduate of Florence High School. "During the storm and the days following, John Spinapont (Point Pleasant, NJ) would drive around in his jeep sending the team text pics of the damage. The images on television of devastation to homes, beaches, and the boardwalks were unsettling and I wanted to make any type of contribution I could and do it immediately."

During the immediate aftermath of the storm, DeWitt gathered the support of his family and teammates before contacting Glus. He used money from his modest, personal checking account to purchase the bracelets. With eager help from a roster of teammates and the Lions' coaching staff, DeWitt began taking orders and moving bracelets. He quickly learned the importance of maintaining organization of all working parts, and why decisiveness is imperative to keeping a mission on track.

While DeWitt was born in Detroit and grew up in California, he has lived in New Jersey since middle school. He frequented Island State Park and Seaside Heights, enjoying rides on the roller coaster that now rests in the Atlantic Ocean. With the donation directed to the American Red Cross Jersey Coast Chapter, DeWitt hopes to have a positive impact on any area of need, whether it goes toward damaged housing, the boardwalk, wildlife, or local businesses. "I just want what everyone wants for those affected at the shore – for their lives to return to some state of normalcy."

In addition to selling more bracelets to raise money, TCNJ's baseball team has additional plans in the works for the spring. An athletic program that already celebrates Military Day and Family Day on its home schedule, the Lions are looking to add a day of recognition for first responders to the hurricane.

"As a coach, I was humbled by Jake's email and the initiative taken thereafter," Glus explained from his office. "This entire operation was the concept of the players and followed through by the players. I am extremely proud of what they have accomplished and the manner in which they've represented the College and the baseball program."

Notes: For parties interested in purchasing bracelets, contact TCNJ's baseball office at (609) 771-2374.

The Jersey Coast Red Cross in Tinton Falls serves 1.1 million people in Monmouth & Ocean Counties. They work closely with the Sewell, Pennsauken & Pleasantville Chapters to ensure our community gets the help they need in times of disaster. More information can be found on their website at http://www.redcross.org/nj/tinton-falls/about-us.