Thanks to a grant from the Elks National Foundation of their parent organization, earlier this year Middlesboro Elks Lodge No. 119 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks made their annual donation to the Middlesboro ROHO Club to assist with their yearly Christmas shopping spree for underprivileged children.

Held this year during the first week in December at Walmart in Middlesboro, the shopping spree helped make this Christmas season brighter for 364 children chosen from 28 different schools in the Tri-State area.

One hundred and fifty dollars was allotted from the ROHOs for each child with $40 earmarked for toys and the remainder for clothes. Walmart also donated shoes for the children.

The ROHOs main fundraiser for this 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.