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Thanks to a grant from the Elks National Foundation, Middlesboro Lodge No. 119 recently assisted the Bell County Council on Literacy with a donation of $250. The Council’s goal is to enable as many citizens of Bell County as possible to become better educated and more employable by helping them acquire their General Education Development certificate (GED). The GED is recognized internationally and certifies that the holder has a level of academic knowledge and skills equivalent to that of a high school graduate. Assistance provided by the Elks and others helps to provide for the considerable expense of books, testing materials and supplies, as well as providing assistance to individuals with their testing fees. Shown is Council Coordinator Myrtle Buis with Elk President Tommy Harrell. According to Buis, last year 17 individuals received their GED’s through the council’s program. Any other organization or individual who would like to assist the Council may contact them at 100 College Road, Middlesboro, or at 606-248-2014.