Literacy Initiative: Book Vending Machine

With smiling children ready to read looking on, the Milwaukee chapter of the Christ Child Society unveiled its donation of a book vending machine, stocked with books for children at Blessed Savior South Elementary School.

The machine is one of several initiatives marking the 75th anniversary of the Milwaukee all-volunteer organization.

“We believe this vending machine will create excitement for reading with the children and get books into the homes of many families,” said Judy Keenan, who is co-president, along with Kathleen Semrad. “Thank you to Punky Kennedy and her team for all the work they have put into this wonderful project.

The event took place on Monday, January 22 at the school, 4059 N 64th St, Milwaukee, Wis, and children from each grade came to test the machine. A videographer from Fox 6 shot footage of the event, which appeared on the 6:00 news later that day.

Members select books

The machine, which cost over $7,000, now carries books carefully selected by the Christ Child Society literacy program with additional suggestions from teachers and others. The machine should hold about 250 books at a time, serving the 135 students at Blessed Savior South.

According to Keenan, Christ Child Society has a long history at the site. “The Blessed Savior South Campus was Our Lady of Sorrows Parish many years ago, and CCS developed and maintained a resale shop in the convent,” she said.

“Eventually, the Resale Shop moved to our current 41st & Good Hope location, but the close connection with Blessed Savior has continued. CCS donates back-to-school student and teacher supplies, and provides volunteer teacher assistants for reading and math skills,” Semrad added. “We’re very grateful for CCS’s commitment to Blessed Savior and to literacy – a critical component in these children’s lives,” said Renee Manikham, principal.