Revving up literacy: AdventHealth and Erik Jones Foundation inspire young readers

Thanks to a unique collaboration between AdventHealth, NASCAR driver Erik Jones, and the Erik Jones Foundation, students at Discovery Elementary now have a new way to unlock the joys of reading: a book vending machine.

The organizations donated and unveiled the vending machine during an event at the Deltona Regional Library in collaboration with the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia. The event also featured the AdventHealth No. 43 Toyota Camry and a puppet show.

The book vending machine has found a permanent home at Discovery Elementary, where students can earn tokens to select books they can keep forever and cherish.

To ensure the machine remains stocked with engaging titles, AdventHealth will donate $5,000 to purchase additional books.

This is the second book vending machine AdventHealth has donated to a West Volusia elementary school, addressing a pressing need: Volusia County’s third-grade reading scores lag behind the state average.

This issue was identified through AdventHealth’s Community Health Needs Assessment. As a result, the organization invests in improving early childhood education locally to equip students with the skills they need for learning.

“Reading is fundamental to lifelong success and well-being,” said Debi McNabb, director of community advocacy for AdventHealth’s East Florida Division. “We’re honored to once again team up with the Erik Jones Foundation and its mission to promote literacy, providing Volusia County students with access to books and building their love of learning.”

Beyond supporting early childhood education, as the Official Healthcare Champion for Volusia County Schools, AdventHealth has provided over 4,000 free sports physicals to area students since 2018.

In 2024 alone, AdventHealth performed more than 1,100 free sports physicals for Volusia County Schools students, and of those who elected to receive a free cardiac screening, four needed immediate follow-up care, potentially saving lives.