Geriatric Care and Homes for Seniors HomePage
For more than a century Homes for the Aged have been a major project of International Odd Fellowship. In fact the first Home for the Care of the Aged and the Orphan was established by Odd Fellows in Meadville, Pennsylvania in 1872. From that small beginning the Order has been responsible for the care of nearly 50,000 Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, widows and others needing shelter. Today the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs operate more than100 homes in North America alone, with 8,000 residents and an annual budget of more than $100 million. In Oregon Holgate Center is a shining example of Odd Fellowship at work.
Arthritis Foundation, Arthritis Society & Health Care Agencies
The Odd Fellows and Rebekahs are the major non-corporate contributors to the Arthritis Foundation, as well as the Arthritis Society, which is seeking a cure for that dreaded disease that causes so much pain and suffering to both the young and old throughout the world.
Around the world, members have been planting trees, shrubs and flower gardens in public areas and on government lands showing their concern for the worlds environmental problems. Boy Scouts and school children have been recruited in many areas to assist in many of these endeavors. HomePage
Youth Programs Sponsored By The Order
One of the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs major endeavors is the sponsorship of Junior Odd Fellow Lodges and Theta Rho Girls' Clubs for those between the ages of 8 and 18. The Odd Fellows have also long been recognized as one of the major sponsors of Boy Scout Troops in North America, while many Rebekah Lodges sponsor Girl Scout Troops and Camp Fire Girls. The D.A.R.E. Program against drugs is the main youth program in several Jurisdictions. Working with local law enforcement agencies it has proven highly successful. Thousands of "Trauma Bears" have been made and donated to law enforcement agencies to use when small children come under their protection. Coaching and sponsoring Little League and Pee Wee League Baseball teams has filled a great need in many communities. Many Jurisdictions offer local scholarships to deserving students in their areas.
United Nations Pilgrimage for Youth
Odd Fellowship is proud to be the sponsor of the United Nations Pilgrimage for Youth, and each summer sevtrat hundred high school juniors or sophomores from all over North America participate in this educational program. Most of the students also participate in eductional bus tours, which include visits to many of the historical sites along with visiting the national capitols of the United States and Canada. Odd Fellows and Rebekahs feed and entertain these young delegates. In recent years, students from abroad havejoined the students from Nodh America to study at the Unded Nations.
Youth Camps & Recreational Facilities
Organized Youth Camps are operated in several Jurisdictions to provide encouragement and guidance to young people in helping them grow into worthwhile and productive citizens.
World Hunger & Disaster Fund HomePage
Sponsored by the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs a World Hunger and Disaster Fund has provided for immediate relief to both Odd Fellows and Rebekahs, while also providing for financial support to others in need.
Other Worthy Endeavors
STARTED IN 1927 IS THE OLDEST PROGRAM OF THE SOVEREIGN GRAND LODGE. DONATIONS SINCE ITS BEGINNING HAVE TOTALED AROUND 4 MILLION TO THE LOAN PROGRAM. 3,400 STUDENTS HAVE RECEIVED LOANS TOTAL OVER 6 MILLION. THERE ARE ALSO SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS PROGRAM.
AN EYE ON THE FUTURE
WAS STARTED IN 1956. A RESEARCH CHAIR WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1963 WITH $625,000.00 AS SEED MONEY; IN 1986 THIS BECAME A MILLION DOLLARS AND IT IS NOW 1.5 MILLION. DR. RICHARD GREEN SERVES AS THE ODD FELLOW PROFESSOR OF OPHTHALMOLOGY AT WILMER INSTITUTE OF JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY. HE IS NOTED AS ONE OF THE 10 TOP OPHTHALMOLOGIST IN THE WORLD. HomePage