NASCAR driver, AdventHealth fuel students' imagination with book vending machine

Days before competing in the DAYTONA 500, Erik Jones -- driver of the No. 43 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE -- visited Chisholm Elementary School in New Smyrna Beach.

After reading a short story to students, Jones unveiled a "Bookworm" vending machine that was donated to the school by The Erik Jones Foundation in partnership with AdventHealth.

The machine rewards students for positive behavior as they can earn special tokens to redeem for books that they can keep.

"I want these machines to inspire kids to read and continue reading -- that's the ultimate goal," Jones said. “Being a strong reader is important to unlocking doors and helping young people live up to their full potential. I couldn’t be more excited to partner with AdventHealth to deliver another book vending machine for some well-deserving kids."

When Jones established his foundation in 2021, the racecar driver made "igniting a passion for reading" part of its mission.

Book vending machines became a signature part of Jones' community efforts after he purchased one for the elementary school that he attended.

After that, the school reported a 300% increase in the number of students who chose books as a reward for good behavior.

"Reading opens doors, fuels imagination and builds confidence," said David Weis, president and CEO of AdventHealth’s operations in East Volusia, Flagler and St. John’s counties. "There’s nothing better than seeing a child light up over a book. Seeing the excitement on these kids’ faces as they realize they will get to pick out their own book and keep it? That’s priceless. We’re proud to partner with Erik and his foundation to bring this book vending machine to Chisholm Elementary, and we hope it fuels a lifelong love of reading."

This is the third book vending machine donated to a Volusia County school through this partnership.

Previous recipients include DeLand's Blue Lake Elementary School last February and Deltona's Discovery Elementary School in December.

On Feb. 16, Jones piloted the No. 43 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE in the 67th running of the DAYTONA 500, marking the first of nine races that he will drive in the AdventHealth-sponsored car. His first victory in the NASCAR Cup Series came at Daytona International Speedway in 2018.

"We are incredibly grateful to Erik Jones and AdventHealth for their generous donation of a book vending machine to Chisholm Elementary," Volusia County Superintendent Carmen Balgobin, Ed.D., said. "This contribution not only provides students with access to exciting books but also reinforces the importance of reading and literacy in their daily lives. Partnerships like this help us encourage a love of reading at a young age that sets the foundation for lifelong learning."

AdventHealth serves as the Official Health Care Champion of Volusia County Schools -- a first-of-its-kind partnership between a school district and a major health care provider.

Through this partnership, AdventHealth is committed to assisting the school district with reducing chronic absenteeism, streamlining and coordinating the care of student athletes and creating more pathways for students to directly enter into health care-related jobs after graduation.