On a crisp Friday morning, the halls of Oakley Elementary buzzed with excitement as students filed in, greeted by cheerful teachers and staff. All eyes were drawn to the mysterious box that had been sitting in the foyer for months.
Speculations about the box’s contents had been swirling among the students. Could it be a PlayStation? New bikes? Tickets to see Taylor Swift? The guesses were as imaginative as the students themselves. But Principal Dr. Jo Landreth was finally ready to unveil the long-awaited surprise.
Joining the students for the occasion were Christy Cheek, Executive Director of the Buncombe County Schools Foundation; Superintendent Dr. Rob Jackson; the Romesburg family; and other special guests. Paul and Sue Romesburg, lifelong champions of literacy, were the generous donors of the incredible gift.
When the box was opened, a collective gasp filled the room. The students’ eyes sparkled with excitement as they laid eyes on the “Inchy the Bookworm” book vending machine—a bright, whimsical machine filled with a treasure trove of books.
Two lucky students were chosen to demonstrate how the machine worked, inserting tokens and selecting their very own books. Their classmates eagerly watched before joining in to marvel at the machine’s contents. The machine is designed not only to foster a love of reading but also to help build students’ personal libraries. Each book selected is theirs to keep, creating a sense of ownership and pride.
Tokens for the vending machine are awarded on special occasions, such as a student’s birthday, as well as for meeting positive behavior goals and academic milestones.
Paul Romesburg shared the inspiration behind the gift, explaining that reading had been a source of solace and adventure during his own childhood.
“Reading was my way to go places, to travel, and to escape the heaviness of the world when I was younger,” he said. “We hope this gift helps students find that same sense of joy, wonder, and possibility through books.”
The unveiling had originally been planned for the day Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina. In light of the delay, the Romesburgs made an additional heartfelt gesture: every child at Oakley Elementary will receive a book from the machine as a holiday gift this year.
The Romesburg’s dedication to literacy doesn’t stop at Oakley Elementary. They have generously donated a book vending machine to 20 elementary schools within Buncombe County Schools, ensuring students across the district have access to books and opportunities to grow their love of reading.
“This machine is a gift of possibility,” Dr. Landreth shared. “It represents joy, creativity, and the lifelong impact of a good book.”
Buncombe County Schools extends its deepest gratitude to Paul and Sue Romesburg for their unwavering support of literacy and their commitment to our students. Their gift will inspire generations of readers to come. For more information about the Inchy Bookworm Vending Machine project or to sponsor books for the program, please contact Christy Cheek at the Buncombe County Schools Foundation at crystal.cheek@bcsemail.org.