Palm Coast’s Rymfire Elementary School received a visit and special gift on Friday from NASCAR driver Erik Jones. In partnership with the Erik Jones Foundation and AdventHealth, Jones took time out of his morning to read to two groups of students and debut a book vending machine donated for use by the school.
AdventHealth facilitated the contribution through the Flagler County Education Foundation, with whom it has an ongoing partnership. The machine was paid for by AdventHealth, and will be restocked by them for as long as the partnership endures. Students earn tokens to buy books by showing good behavior and achievement in the classroom.
“There’s no financial cost to the student,” explained Flagler Superintendent LaShakia Moore. “These students will be able to get these tokens from following the positive behaviors of the school.” Once they take their book, students will be free to keep them.
Jones came into the equation through his foundation, which promotes child literacy along with cancer research and animal welfare. He’s sponsored by AdventHealth in the NASCAR Cup Series, with the company appearing on his No. 43 Toyota Camry.
ⓒ Eryn Harris
The morning began with Jones reading a children’s book called Goodnight Racetrack to the students. The book was written by Ashley Newgarden, wife of 2-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden. Jones was a big hit with the kids, one of whom said he wanted to be Jones when he grew up.
“This year really elevated our relationship with [AdventHealth], so they came to us and said ‘we want to donate one to Rymfire’,” said Flagler County Education Foundation Executive Director Teresa Rizzo. “They’ve been so involved last year with doing some classrooms or career things with our students here. They wanted to provide it here in Flagler.”
Following his visit to Palm Coast, Jones led seven laps at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday and finished in fifth place. Off-track, he’s currently reading The Farmer’s Lawyer, a 2021 account by attorney Sarah Vogel of her pro bono efforts to save struggling North Dakotan farms in the 1980’s. Jones’ habit of reading follows him across the United States during the NASCAR Cup Series schedule.
“Any time I’ve kind of went through my career and wanted to learn more about a certain part of the car, whether it be in setup or aero, motor, any area, I always just find a book to read on it,” Jones said. “That’s always been the best way I’ve been able to learn.”
The first book purchased from the machine, a Spider-Man issue. ⓒ Eryn Harris
