Case Study: Community Sponsors & Foundations

NASCAR Driver Erik Jones Uses Book Vending Machines In Florida to Promote Literacy

By introducing book vending machines in schools across Florida, Georgia & Michigan, he is making it possible for students to discover and enjoy reading, no matter where they are.

Designed to intrigue and inspire, these machines offer a diverse selection of books, from bestsellers to hidden gems, ensuring that there's always something for everyone. With a simple push of a button, passersby can embark on a literary journey, making Erik Jones not just a NASCAR star but a true ambassador of the written word.

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NASCAR Driver Erik Jones Finds The Perfect Vehicle to Promote Literacy

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Project Overview

When the Erik Jones Foundation reached out to create a one-of-a-kind book vending machine, we knew the design had to be as dynamic as the NASCAR driver himself. Our custom book vending machine for schools proved to be the perfect vehicle to take his vision across the finish line.

TIMELINE

We completed this project in 3 weeks!

Case Study: The Erik Jones Foundation

PROJECT INFORMATION

Wow, @erik_jones and the Erik Jones Foundation in partnership with @AdventHealth just donated a book vending machine to the kids at the school. Kids will be given tokens for doing good in class, and they can redeem them for free books in the machine. pic.twitter.com/0qAnoZztqb
— Toby Christie (@Toby_Christie) February 15, 2024

Background

Even with the demanding schedule and fierce competition that comes with being an elite NASCAR driver, Erik Jones still finds time to remain an avid bookworm.

According to Jones, reading provides him with a sense of balance and serves as an escape from the pressures of daily life. Now, Erik Jones wants to use his platform to inspire youth and address literacy issues within underserved communities.

According to 2022 statistics from the National Literacy Institute, 21% of adults in the US are illiterate, and 54% of adults have a literacy level below sixth-grade proficiency, figures that Jones called “eye-opening.”

The collaboration between BookVending.com and the Erik Jones Foundation presented a unique opportunity to create a custom book vending machine for schools across Atlanta and beyond.

erikjones

Jones expressed his aspirations for the project, saying, “I really just hope the book vending machine inspires in some way. That’s the ultimate goal. I hope it inspires them to not only want to obviously go and read but just inspire them in general areas to go out and perform and exceed and be the best they can be at anything in life, really”

Pre-Purchase Consultation

After our teams met to better understand every detail of the foundation's needs, the first pit stop in our race was to create a one-of-a-kind design. After a few rounds of proofing, the end result showcases the eye-catching colors of Erik Jones’s race car in a way that blends his brand template with kid-friendly elements.

Custom Design Services

Just like a NASCAR team, our design process involved several 'pit stops' for client feedback. We worked closely with representatives from the Erik Jones Foundation and Rocky Creek Elementary to ensure the design resonated with both the students and the ethos of the Foundation.

Wave The Checkered Flag For Reading

Erik Jones & Advent Health Deliver A Book Vending Machine in Florida

Encourages Excitement For Literacy

The Erik Jones Foundation has partnered with Bookvending.com to create an initiative that gets students excited about book ownership and rewards positive behavior. Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine provides a tangible reward system where students earn tokens for recognized positive behavior. These tokens can be exchanged for books from the vending machine, making school attendance and positive behavior both rewarding and exciting (Erik Jones Foundation) (Jayski).

Enhances Literacy and Engagement

IInchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine plays a pivotal role in boosting student literacy and engagement. By providing a selection of high-engagement titles, it motivates students to dive into reading both in the classroom and beyond. This ongoing interaction with books changes the perception of reading as a rewarding leisure activity rather than an assignment. This is just one case study of how book vending machines help ignite a passion for lifelong learning. (Racing America) (AdventHealth).

Placing these machines in schools and community centers helps address the issue of book deserts, providing access to books in under-resourced areas. This approach ensures that students not only have the incentive to attend school regularly but also have the resources to foster a love for reading and learning (Jayski) (AdventHealth).

Collaboration and Support

The Erik Jones Foundation collaborates with various partners to ensure the success of this initiative:

Donation and Design: The vending machines are often donated in collaboration with partners like AdventHealth, who also support the initiative by providing funding to keep the machines stocked. For instance, AdventHealth announced an annual donation of $5,000 to maintain the vending machine at Blue Lake Elementary School (Erik Jones Foundation) (AdventHealth).
Local Partnerships: Partnerships with local organizations ensure a steady supply of diverse and engaging books. This collaboration ensures that each vending machine is continuously filled with new titles that excite and engage students.

Customized and Community-Focused

Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machine is designed to meet the specific needs of each school involved in the program. By customizing the graphics and trays, Global Vending Group (GVG) ensures that the machines can accommodate a wide range of book sizes, making them suitable for various age groups. This customization includes selecting books that match the students’ reading levels and interests, ensuring that every student finds something appealing (Erik Jones Foundation) (Racing America).