Social Activities

• One of the primary purposes of IOOF is to develop life-lasting friendships among people. In connection to this, many lodges also organize social activities where members can enjoy each other’s company.

• An ideal lodge is a place for fellowship in all its forms – from meetings to Initiation ceremonies, to dinners, to hanging out and just having fun, to discussion and collaboration on creative and constructive projects, all with an eye not only on our own satisfaction but on what we might offer to the community at large. We aim to be a good venue for a lot of positive energy and all members are encouraged to contribute their ideas in harmony.

Philanthropic Projects

The first lodges were first set up to protect and care for their members and communities at a time when there was still no welfare state, trade unions or national health insurance. The aim was and still is to provide help to people and communities in times of need. The Odd Fellows are also large fundraisers for local, national and international charities. Today, the highlights of the fraternal organization’s Philanthropic works include:

• Educational Foundation provides low-interest student loans and scholarships.

• Living Legacy Program focuses on planting trees and enhancing the environment.

• Arthritis Advisory Board works in donating over $500,000 annually to support research by the Arthritis Foundation (USA) and Arthritis Society (Canada).

• Visual Research Foundation endowed $2.5 million and continues to donate over $500,000 annually to support vision care and research through the Wilmer Eye Institute.

• Pilgrimage for Youth sponsors a group of high school students for an educational trip in the U.S. and Canada.

• SOS Children’s Village provides a caring home for orphaned children in 132 countries around the world.

• Annual Patriotic Pilgrimages to the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, USA, Canadian War Memorial and others.

• Odd Fellow and Rebekah Homes provide a caring environment for the elderly.

• Odd Fellow and Rebekah camps and parks provide recreation for the youth and families.

• Each Lodge is also involved in various local or national community projects.