Middlesboro Lodge #119 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks recently made their annual donation to the Middlesboro ROHO Club to help them with their yearly Christmas shopping spree for area underprivileged children.

Always held in December at the Walmart store in Middlesboro, this shopping spree helps make the Christmas season much brighter for approximately 350 children chosen by schoolteachers and officials from numerous schools in the Tri-State area. According to ROHO spokesman Bill Dean, about $200 is allotted to each child, with $140 designated for clothes and $60 for toys. The ROHO’s main fundraiser for the event is a fishing tournament held each year in May on Norris Lake, but donations from individuals and organizations such as the Elks are welcomed throughout the year.

Founded in Middlesboro in 1890, Middlesboro Elks Lodge #119 is a non-profit 501C charitable organization, one of a network of about 1,800 lodges in communities all across the country who help disadvantaged people in their communities through benevolent programs and contributions to worthwhile charitable and service organizations, such as the ROHOs. Open to those of good moral character, at least age 2l, a U.S. citizen and who profess a belief in God, anyone interested in joining the Elks may contact any member or visit their website at http://www.elks.org and click on “join the elks”.