The Christian County Literacy Council and Atmos Energy cut the ribbon on the Literacy Launcher Book Vending Machine at the Hopkinsville-Christian County Convention and Visitors Bureau on Thursday.
Francene Gilmer from the council welcomed attendees to the ribbon cutting. The council promotes reading and accessibility to books for students in the county. Gilmer thanked Atmos Energy for sponsoring the vending machine to kids more excited about reading.
Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight thanked the council and Atmos Energy for bringing the vending machine to life and called it another opportunity for children to develop a love for reading.
From Atmos Energy, Public Affairs Manager Kay Coomes shared that throughout their eight-state coverage region, many places struggle with food insecurity and childhood literacy. Coomes says around 32% of students in the country are reading at a level below their grade level.
In Atmos Energy’s coverage region, Coomes says she found that Louisiana and Mississippi have some of the lowest literacy rates and Kentucky’s rates aren’t that much higher, so she is happy to partner with the council to make reading more accessible.
Coomes then introduced Eric White from Atmos Energy who also worked to turn the vending machine into a reality. White announced that the vending machine is dedicated to Robert Flick, who worked at Atmos Energy for 41 years before passing away in December 2020.
Flick would often participate in reading events for children and White says his legacy and kindness will live on.
Flick’s wife, Nancy Flick says she was honored by the dedication and knows her husband would have been too as promoting reading to children was a big part of his life.
Before members from Atmos Energy and the council cut the ribbon on the vending machine they unveiled its name, Literacy Launcher, which was picked by Pembroke Elementary School Third Grade Teacher, Maria Dietzel. For having her name selected, Dietzel was gifted a $500 check for classroom supplies.
Gilmer shared that the vending machine is not money-operated, but uses special coins. Students will receive coins from their teachers after completing certain reading goals. For the rest of September however, students can get a book from the vending machine if they have read two books in one week.
The vending machine is located at the visitors bureau and books from the vending machine are free for children to keep.
