Move over, snack chips and soda. There’s a new vending machine in town.
Hatfield Elementary School was gifted a vending machine that dispenses a variety of books to students after receiving a generous donation from a community foundation. The machine is wrapped in red, white and blue and adorned with horseshoes that match the symbols and color of the Laurel Highland School District.
Hatfield Principal Heidi Gallis Mears said since the machine was delivered a week ago, students have walked by it with smiles on their faces and asked her or their teachers when they can get their books. On Friday, the school held an official ribbon-cutting event and began using the machine.
“Our students at Hatfield love to read,” she said, adding that the school recently held its “Blizzard of Books” where students read a total of over 4,100 books between February 1 and March 2.
Last fall, the Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund awarded a $6,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Fayette County to the school district for purchases that included the book vending machine.
“I think it will increase literacy for all students,” Superintendent Jesse Wallace said. “It’s nice to have community partners like the Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund working with the school district to provide things like this.”
Wallace said having those from the community step in and contribute makes it even more special when the district can do more for its students.
Mears said it was extra special to see two members of Arthur and Millicent Gabriel’s family at the event: their son, Ronald Gabriel, and grandson Eric Gabriel, who along with Eric’s two brothers are former Hatfield students.
“I remember them, very fondly, walking the halls, always with a book in their hands,” Mears said. “So the love of reading from the Gabriel family is something I really hold close to my heart.”
Mears said students won’t actually buy books from the vending machine, as they are incentives and rewards for good behavior.
She added that all of the books for the machine will be donated by the Hatfield PTO as well as the district’s Mini Mighty Mustang program or purchased with Scholastic Book Fair funds.
“It will always be stocked with books at no cost to the kids,” Mears said. “This book vending machine will enable our students to access books that not only expand their horizons, but also show them that dreams are within reach.”
“Kids enjoy reading,” Wallace said. “It’s better than playing a video game. Books take you places video games can’t. We need to make sure all students have access to books they like and can read regularly.”