OMOS receives Book Vending Machine from Christ Child Society

By Carissa Krautscheid 
 
Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic School (OMOS) is the latest recipient of a new Book Vending Machine donated by the Tucson Chapter of the Christ Child Society. 
 
Seven members of the Christ Child Society joined OMOS principal, vice principal, and pastor for the ribbon cutting and dedication of the new Book Vending Machine. For OMOS pastor, Fr. George Holley, this was the first time blessing a vending machine. The ribbon was cut by two OMOS students: Annette, a sixth grader, and David, a second-grade student. They were the first to select books from the Vending Machine. 


 
How does a Book Vending Machine work? Teachers set classroom goals for their students, such as a reading goal or a grade goal. Then when a student has earned their reward of “Mustang Money,” they can come to choose a book from the Machine. The books are theirs to keep, which encourages literacy and a love of reading. The Christ Child Society has committed to replenishing the books as needed. 
 
“In 2022, over 60 percent of low-income families have no books in their homes,” said Deb Auclair, current President of the Christ Child Society of Tucson. 
 
The Tucson Chapter of the Christ Child Society has supported other literacy initiatives across the city and at OMOS. They revamped the school’s library which had become a storage room. Christ Child members purchased new shelves, tables, and chairs in addition to donating 1,000 books and organizing the library. Christ Child members also served as Santa’s elves during the Christmas season, to bring books to the students at OMOS. 
 
The idea for a Book Vending Machine at OMOS came about last year at the Christ Child Society’s annual Red Wagon Fundraiser. A second-grade student attended the event to speak about how much of a difference it would make for him personally to have a Book Vending Machine at OMOS. His testimony inspired enthusiastic participation in funding a Book Vending Machine for his school. 


 
OMOS Vice Principal ​Valerie Ramirez shared, “We are so grateful to the Christ Child Society for helping to bring literacy to our kids. This is going to bring joy to a lot of kids and spark a love of learning and reading. We are so thrilled and grateful for your support. The Christ Child Society does such important work.” 
 
Angela Schneider is the President of the National Christ Child Society and previously led the Tucson Chapter. “It’s our pleasure to be able to provide for the children,” she said. “Our founder, Mary Virginia Merrick, first initiated layettes for the newborns of impoverished moms and then it was literacy. Literacy is so important. These books are something they can treasure and keep. So, thank you for taking care of our children!” 
 
Learn more about the Christ Child Society 

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