Thanks to a grant from the Elks National Foundation of their Grand Lodge, Middlesboro Lodge No. 119 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks again this year donated $250 to the Middlesboro Fire Department to help them with their annual School Fire Prevention Program, also known as the “Fire Pup Program.”

Each year pre-K through fifth grade children in all Middlesboro schools and daycare centers receive manuals, badges, posters and many other fire prevention materials which are then covered in the classrooms by their teachers.

These materials make learning about fire safety fun for the children as they play games and do puzzles while learning how to prevent fires and what to do in case of fire. Afterwards, the children take the materials home and the parents can then learn from them.

No doubt many lives have been saved and many fires prevented because of this program which the fire department conducts each year in cooperation with the National Fire Safety Council.

This year over 11,000 pieces of materials will be provided to over 2,500 children in Middlesboro at a cost of approximately $5,800. The Elks donation will provide for over 100 of these children.

The Elks are proud to join almost 50 other organizations, businesses and individuals in the Middlesboro area who are helping this year.