Valero Port Arthur and United Way Team Up to Provide Book Vending Machine
In 2022, the United Way of Mid & South Jefferson County began adding Book Vending Machines on campuses across Port Arthur Independent School District (PAISD) that participate in the Accelerated Reading Program (AR). Valero teamed up with United Way and contributed $21,000 for a book vending machine at DeQueen Elementary, near Valero's Port Arthur refinery.
The new machine reinforces the importance of literacy as a building block for success. As United Way representatives mentioned “children learn to read through the 3rd grade – then they read to learn."
This vending machine is stocked with books that vary from picture books to chapter books for all reading levels that not only foster students' love for reading but also help them meet their AR goals. Students have the ability to collect AR points by reading a book and taking an assessment to check their understanding, then use those points to get a special gold coin from their principal to use at the vending machine.
For 2024, Valero's annual United Way employee campaign and company match provided $2.3 million, helping to fund literacy programs. In fact, Valero is the largest donor to United Way Mid & South Jefferson County compared to all other employers in the community.
Finding fun ways to learn
Check out this video and see how Valero is supporting DeQueen Elementary, deepening students' excitement for reading and learning.
Valero takes pride in being a good neighbor and protecting the environment, and in being a safe, reliable operator and sharing our success through volunteerism.
