WHEELING – Woodsdale Elementary School students are reading books, and their efforts are bringing a book vending machine to the school.

The school’s student council had a goal of raising $7,000 needed for the book vending machine, and members organized a school-wide read-a-thon to bring in the money.

The members also went out to local businesses and approached them for funding.

In the end, the school well surpassed the $7,000 goal, according to teacher Jaime Young. Young and teacher Brandy LaFlam are co-advisors to student council.

“When I say they exceeded the amount, they exceeded it,” she said. “We don’t have the grand total yet, but at last count we had over $7,500.”

Each student received a pledge sheet, then went out and solicited pledges for the read-a-thon. Donors had the option of making a flat contribution, or offering dollars for each book the student read.

There will be an awards assembly this week during which class and individual winners will be announced and receive prizes. A representative from the top homeroom will get the chance to smash a pie into the face of principal Ashlea Minch, Young said. A pizza party courtesy of DeFelice Pizza will follow.

Assorted other prizes also will be distributed to individual students who read and collected the most in donations, she continued. The HIghlands Sports Complex has contributed a climbing pass.

Other donors included Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church, the residents council at Peterson Healthcare and Rehabilitation Hospital, the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau, Miklas’ Meat Market, Gary Dietz Insurance and Elm Grove United Methodist Church.

The book vending machine will be used “for positive reinforcement” at the school, Young explained. Students will earn tokens through good behavior that can be used in the machine.

“For example, if their reading goals are met the student will get a token and go pick out a book,” she said. “The extra funding we receive will go toward purchasing books to start and in the future.”

Young added she is proud of the efforts of student council.

“Each year, council takes on different service projects and they all seem to be successful,” she said. “They are little leaders.”