The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Homes in California

The Meadows of Napa Retirement Home

Saratoga Foundation Youth Camp, Longbarn

Saratoga Retirement Community

Friendship, Love and Truth

Cupertino IOOF Lodge # 70 P.O.Box # 6 Cupertino, CA 95015

Cupertino Odd Fellow Lodge #70 For more information contact: Don Lang (408) 252-3954 [email protected]

www.OddFellowsCupertino.Org

CUPERTINO ODD FELLOWS LODGE #70 20598 Homestead Rd. Cupertino, CA 95014

WWW.CAIOOF.ORG

Rebekah Children’s Services 290 IOOF Ava, Gilroy, CA 95020

I.O.O.F. Independent Order of

Odd Fellows

The Odd Fellows is one of the oldest fraternal orders in the world. It has been active in California since before statehood. The great seal of California was copied after the Odd Fellows, Grand Lodge Seal. There are over 122 active lodges in the state today. They run four different care facilities in the State. The Children’s Home in Gilroy, the IOOF Senior Housing and the Retirement Home in Saratoga and in Napa. They also support several charities: the Heart Fund, Eye research, Arthritis, Scholarships, United Nations tour for youth, tree planting and local Community Services groups.

Legend has it that the roots of Odd Fellowship date to the time of Nero, when a group of men were gathered together to help those in need. Being a rare thing to do at that time Nero commended them and called the group “Odd-Citizens”. In modern times the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the early 1800’s broke away from the Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows of England and became independent. The Odd Fellow were the first organization that formed lodges for women. Schiler Colfax, Vice President of the United States under President Ulysses E. Grant was the force behind the movement. The Odd Fellows were the first group to form Homes for their aged members, the first such home was in Pennsylvania. We also have lodges for young boys and girls, Junior Odd Fellows and Theta Rho. We have youth camps, the one in California is In Long Barn. There are homes for the aged in Saratoga and Napa and a Children’s Home in Gilroy. Visual Research, The Arthritis Foundation and the Cupertino Community Services are just a few of the charities we support. A man or women of good character, who believe in a Supreme Being, whose life and acts have been worthy and honorable, is eligible for membership in Odd Fellows. Odd Fellowship strictly forbids any interference with one’s religious or political opinions, either directly or indirectly.

Triple Link Fraternity

Cupertino Odd Fellows Lodge No. 70 Cupertino Odd Fellows Lodge #70 was instituted on April 15, 1899. It is the oldest fraternal organization in Cupertino today and it is still very active. Covering Cupertino and Sunnyvale this lodge, of active members, has four past Grand Masters of the state and meets the second and fourth Mondays at 8:00 PM at the Cupertino Hall. They hold social events on the third Monday during the evening. During the spring & summer months they hold their famous BBQs and on the other months throughout the year they usually have pot luck dinners or sometimes meet at local restaurants. Some of the retired members meet at the Donut Wheel bakery every Wednesday at 9:30 AM for coffee, donuts and socializing, then go bowling at Homestead Lanes for fun. Other activities include the Octoberfest,/Halloween party, Pancake Breakfast, Christmas and Roll call Dinners, Veterans Day Parade, Student Art Contest, Junior Youth Group, Casino Bus trips, Bowling and other events. They also rent out their building for parties or special events. They currently have six permanent renters. The Philotesian Rebekah Lodge, which is their Sister branch, Western Aikido Yoshokai, India Community Center, Girl Scouts, Cupertino Grange and the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors. For information check our Website at www.OddFellowsCupertino.org or call Don at 408 252-3954

Friendship, Love and Truth