March 12, 2025
A good deed gets you a golden token and a trip to the vending machine at South Maple Elementary School in Gaylord. Instead of snacks, it’s stocked with books to feed imagination and enhance learning.
Book vending machine donated in 2023
“The kids named it the ‘Dream Machine,’” said Spl./Lt. Ashley Miller, Michigan State Police (MSP) Public Information Officer. “Each time a student helps a friend or is caught being kind, they get a token and their very own book. The focus is to enhance literacy through an enjoyable experience, and the students love it.
The ‘Dream Machine’ was the first book vending machine donated by the Gaylord Chapter of the State Trooper Outreach Partnership (STOP), an outreach and mentoring organization that aims to provide solutions to problems experienced by community members through mentorship, outreach and volunteer assistance. A grant from the Otsego Community Foundation’s 100+ Women Who Care helped with the purchase.
Two book vending machines are being unveiled this week during National Reading Month, which is celebrated in March to honor Dr. Suess’ birthday – one at Mancelona Elementary School and another at Otsego Christian School.
Book vending machine unveiled at Mancelona Elementary School Wednesday, March 12
“That makes a total of eight Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machines that have been donated since 2023 to schools in the five counties served by the MSP Gaylord Post,” said Specialist Lieutenant Miller, who also serves as president of the STOP Gaylord Chapter. “Since reading significantly contributes to a child’s cognitive development, helps expand vocabulary and lays a strong foundation for future learning, our goal is to put one in every elementary school in our post area.”
With chapters throughout Michigan, STOP hopes to expand the book vending machine effort. The STOP Paw Paw Chapter is currently looking into the process. Each appliance costs approximately $6,000. The school takes on the cost of refilling it with books.
